Quail Escabeche (Caille en Escabeche)
- 4 whole quail (1 1/2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for drizzling
- 2 fennel bulbs (1 pound total), stalks discarded and bulbs chopped
- 3 medium shallots, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 lemongrass stalk, 1 or 2 outer layers discarded and lower 4 inches of stalk minced
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick (preferably Mexican/Ceylon canela)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- Preheat oven to 350F with rack in middle.
- Pat quail dry and season all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper (total).
- Heat oil in an ovenproof 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Sear quail, breast side down, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Transfer to a plate.
- Add fennel, shallots, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to skillet and saute until fennel is pale golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in lemongrass, raisins, cinnamon stick, and wine.
- Bring to a boil, then cover pot and braise in oven 30 minutes.
- Nestle quail, breast side up, in vegetables, then cover and braise until thighs pull easily from joints, about 20 minutes.
- Cool completely, uncovered.
- Serve at room temperature, drizzled with olive oil.
quail, extravirgin olive oil, fennel bulbs, shallots, garlic, stalk, raisins, cinnamon, white wine
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/quail-escabeche-i-caille-en-escabeche-i-243634 (may not work)