Roasted Quail Date And Pomegranate Marinade Recipes

ROASTED POMEGRANATE QUAIL

Steps:

• Place all the marinade ingredients into a bowl or jug and mix to combine.
• Pat dry the quail with paper towels to remove any moisture. Make sure the quail are completely defrosted with no icy bits inside the cavity.Cut off the neck piece if it is still attached. Keep it though as it can be roasted along with the quail in the oven dish to flavour the juices.If you are cooking the Quail straight away: Put the quail into a heavy based oven dish that is just large enough to fit them snugly (see photos). If there is too much space around the birds the juices and marinade that gather in the base of the dish during the cooking time will burn.Pour half the marinade over the quail and using clean or gloved hands, massage the marinade into the quail. Set the quail aside in the dish for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C.If you are cooking the Quail later in the day: Marinate the quail as above but instead of leaving on the bench for 30 minutes, cover the quail and place in the refrigerator. Remove the quail from the fridge 30 minutes prior to cooking and preheat the oven to 200°C.
• Put the quail into the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 230°C. Baste the Quail with the remaining marinade using a brush. Place back into the oven making sure you have rotated the dish so the quail cooks evenly. Cook for a further 10 minutes - now depending on the size of your quail, it could be ready earlier if your quail is smaller, so check it at the 17-18 minute mark for smaller birds. Larger quail can take 20-25 minutes, depending on how you like your quail cooked. It is recommended that they be cooked to a pale pink - up to you.During this final cooking time, keep a close eye on the quail and rotate the dish 1 or 2 more times and baste with the juices at the same time. This will give you a great colour on the skin. If you are finding that the skin is colouring up too quickly, drape a piece of tin foil over the top until its ready.
• When the quail is ready, remove from the oven and allow the quail to rest in the dish for 10 minutes, tented with tin foil. After resting, remove the quail and place on a serving dish. Pour all the juices into a jug and spoon off any oil. This jus is delicious served alongside the Quail. I drizzle it all over the Quail and Cypriot Grain Salad (if making).Optional: sprinkle a few pomegranate seeds over the Quail.Note: Depending on the size of your quails, you might find you need 2 per person if they are smaller.

QUAIL WITH POMEGRANATE JUS

Steps:

• Combine shallots, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice, 2 teaspoons tarragon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add quail, tossing gently to coat, then marinate, covered and chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
• Remove quail from marinade, scraping off shallots and reserving marinade, then pat quail dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides. Cook 4 quail, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes total. (Quail will be rare.) Transfer cooked quail to a serving dish and keep warm, loosely covered with foil. Cook remaining 4 quail in remaining 2 tablespoons butter in same manner, transferring to serving dish.
• Add reserved marinade to skillet and cook over moderately high heat, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon, until shallots are just softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice and season with salt, then spoon over quail. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and remaining teaspoon tarragon.
• To juice a pomegranate, cut in half crosswise, then use a manual or electric juicer. Alternatively, remove seeds from pomegranate and pulse seeds in a food processor until juicy, then transfer seeds to a sieve and drain, pressing on and then discarding solids.