Quail With Grits Apple And Celery Root Recipes

ROAST QUAIL WITH APPLES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Quarter and core the apples. Dice half of them and set aside. Thinly slice the remainder lengthwise and set aside.
• In a medium sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, celery, shallots, and diced apples and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add the crumbled corn bread, then add the chicken broth, melted butter, thyme, and chopped pecans and toss thoroughly with your hands to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the cavity of each quail with salt and pepper, then stuff a little of the corn bread mixture inside. Season the outside of the quail with salt and pepper and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
• Heat the oil over high heat in a heavy ovenproof sauté pan just large enough to hold the quail without touching each other. Add the quail and sear, turning occasionally, until golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the quail, for 6 to 9 minutes; the breast meat should still be a rosy color.
• Remove the string from the quail before serving.
• TO DRINK: Chinon, Jouget; Pinot Noir, Bethel Heights

QUAIL WITH GRITS, APPLE AND CELERY ROOT

Steps:

• Remove breasts from quails and place in a bowl with 1/4 cup oil and thyme. Chill for several hours. Separate legs and wings from carcasses. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add legs, wings and carcasses and brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon oil and onion, celery and carrot and saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Skim, reduce heat and simmer until reduced to 1 cup, about 20 minutes. Strain, discard solids and stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For grits, melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add shallot and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add 1 1/4 cups water and bring to a boil. Stir in grits, lower heat and cook, stirring often, until thick, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add quail breasts skin side down and saute until golden brown and slightly pink in the center, about 1 minute per side. Remove from skillet, season with salt and pepper and keep warm. Add celery root and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the apple and cook for 1 minute. Stir in grits, 1/2 cup quail broth, 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper.
• Divide grits among 4 plates. Top with breasts and drizzle with broth. Serve immediately.