Quaglie con Pancetta (Quail with Pancetta)
- 8 quail, boneless
- 1/2 pound pancetta, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus 4 tablespoons plus 1 cup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 1/2 pound coppa, or capocollo, thinly sliced
- 10 sage leaves, chopped
- 2 cups cooked borlotti beans
- 4 bunches chives cut into 1-inch batons
- Check quail for bones or feathers and place in mixing bowl.
- Add pancetta, vinegar, olive oil, honey and black pepper and toss to coat.
- Set aside and preheat grill.
- In a 12 to 14-inch saute pan heat 4 tablespoons olive oil until smoking.
- Add the onion and cook until softened and light golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Cut the coppa into julienne and add to the pan with the onions.
- Add the sage leaves and the beans and lower heat to medium and cook the beans until soft and fragrant, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and keep warm on the side of the stove.
- Bring 2 quarts of water to the boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt.
- Prepare an ice water bath next to the stove.
- Drop the chives into the boiling water and cook 20 to30 seconds until deep green.
- Quickly fish them out with a spider and refresh in the ice bath.
- Remove and drain well between 2 towels.
- Place the chives in a blender with the remaining oil and blend until smooth, 30 to 45 seconds.
- Remove and set aside.
- Drain the pancetta from the marinade and place in a cold nonstick pan.
- Place pan over medium heat and cook until crispy and golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes Drain the quails from their marinade and place skin side down on the hottest part of the grill.
- Cook until medium rare inside, about 4 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the back.
- Meanwhile arrange the beans on 4 separate plates.
- Remove the quail from the grill and place on the piles of beans.
- Arrange the pancetta pieces around the beans on the plate.
- Drizzle with the chive oil and serve.
quail, pancetta, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, black pepper, red onion, coppa, sage, beans, bunches chives
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/quaglie-con-pancetta-quail-with-pancetta-recipe.html (may not work)