Broiled Quail With Raisin and Apple Stuffing
- 1/2 cup fresh or canned chicken broth
- 1/4 pound bulk sausage meat
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped apple cut in small cubes
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup couscous
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 18 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons gin
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
- 8 quail, boned except for the wings, thighs and legs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Preheat the broiler to high.
- In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a simmer.
- Heat another saucepan, and add the sausage meat.
- Cook and stir for 2 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces.
- Add the onion, and cook, stirring, until wilted.
- Add the apple, raisins, couscous, warmed broth, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, stirring.
- Cover tightly, remove from the heat, and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Add the gin and coriander, and blend well with a fork.
- Divide the mixture into 8 portions.
- Set aside.
- Salt and pepper the cavity of each quail.
- Add the stuffing with your hands.
- Crisscross the legs, and flatten the quail so they will cook evenly.
- Pour the butter and oil into a baking dish large enough to hold the quail in one layer.
- Add the quail, and sprinkle with half of the thyme.
- Turn the quail in the butter and oil mixture, and sprinkle with salt, pepper and the remaining thyme.
- Then turn the quail breast side down.
- Place the quail under the broiler about 6 inches from the heat source.
- Leave the door partly open.
- Cook them about 4 minutes until lightly browned.
- Turn the quail breast side up.
- Return them to the broiler, and basting occasionally, broil for 4 minutes longer or until nicely browned.
- Set the oven at 400 degrees.
- Place the quail on the bottom rack, and bake for 2 to 3 minutes, basting with the butter and oil mixture and the lemon juice.
- Serve immediately with the sauce.
chicken broth, sausage meat, onion, apple, golden raisins, couscous, cumin, cinnamon, salt, gin, fresh coriander, quail, butter, olive oil, thyme, lemon juice
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4771 (may not work)