Southern Fried Quail With Blue Cheese Dressing Recipes

BUTTERMILK FRIED QUAIL

Steps:

• Mix the buttermilk with the all the spices (except the salt). Coat the quail with the mixture and set in a covered container for as little as an hour, and as much as 8 hours.
• When you are ready to fry, pour the oil into a large pan - a big cast iron frying pan or Dutch oven is ideal - and heat over medium-high heat. You want the oil to almost submerge the quail halves.
• Meanwhile, take the quail out of the buttermilk and let it drain in a colander. Don't shake off the buttermilk or anything, just leave it there.
• Let the oil heat until it is about 325°F; this is the point where a sprinkle of flour will immediately sizzle. Do not let the oil smoke! When the oil is hot, pour the flour and salt into a plastic bag and shake to combine. Put a few quail into the bag and shake to get it coated in flour. NOTE: If you want your quail "extra crispy," let the battered birds sit on a rack until the flour absorbs the moisture of the buttermilk coating. Then give them a second shake in the flour bag. You'll get a much thicker, crunchier crust that way.
• Fry for about 4 to 5 minutes. Fry gently - you want a steady sizzle, but nothing raging, and you definitely don't want the quail to just sit in oil. You might need to adjust the heat a bit. Turn the quail over and fry for another 3 to 4 minutes. You will probably need to fry in batches, so just leave the unfried quail in the colander until you are ready to flour them up and fry them. Don't let the floured pieces sit.
• When the quail are good and fried, let them rest on a rack set over a paper towel to drain away any excess oil. Serve hot or at room temperature.

SOUTHERN FRIED QUAIL

Steps:

• Rinse the quail and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
• Generously season each bird with salt and pepper both inside and out.
• Place quail in a pan and sprinkle over a generous amount of flour, turning the quail in the flour to thoroughly coat the birds.
• Meanwhile, in a well-seasoned black iron skillet, add enough oil to cover the pan to a depth of about 1 inch.
• Bring the oil to frying temperature (about 325) over medium-high heat.
• Add prepared quail to the hot oil and fry 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown all over.
• Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

COUNTRY FRIED STEAK SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Pound steaks between 2 sheets of plastic to 1/8" thick. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine cornstarch, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a wide shallow bowl or dish. Combine garlic powder, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp. lemon zest, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in another wide shallow bowl or dish. Lightly beat eggs in another wide shallow bowl.
• Dip steak in seasoned cornstarch, then in eggs, letting excess drip back into bowl. Coat in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip in eggs and flour mixture again for a second coating. Transfer steak to a lightly floured baking sheet; chill 1-3 hours.
• Meanwhile, place potatoes in a medium pot; add cold water to cover by 1". Season with salt, bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, 12-15 minutes; add green beans during the last 3 minutes of cooking and cook until crisp-tender. Drain potatoes and beans and transfer to a large bowl of ice water; chill until cold, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a clean dish towel or paper towels and pat dry.
• Whisk sour cream, buttermilk, lemon juice, honey, 1 Tbsp. chives, 1/4 tsp. salt, and remaining 1 tsp. lemon zest and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a small bowl. Gently stir in cheese.
• Pour oil into a large heavy skillet to come halfway up the sides; fit with thermometer. Heat over high until thermometer registers 325°F. Working in batches, fry steaks until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels, season with salt, then thinly slice into strips.
• Toss lettuce, potatoes, beans, and dressing in a large bowl. Arrange on a platter. Top with steak and remaining 1 Tbsp. chives.

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST RICH AND CREAMY BLUE CHEESE DRESSING EVER!

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mash blue cheese and buttermilk together with a fork until mixture resembles large-curd cottage cheese. Stir in sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.