Roasted Quail with Brioche and Chorizo Stuffing

Food Network Kitchens

From Food Network Kitchens

Show: Food Network SpecialsEpisode: Food Network Goes Hollywood

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Total Time:
2 hr 30 min
Prep
45 min
Cook
1 hr 45 min
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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If you wish to prepare the sauce ahead of time, simply heat 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a small saucepan, add the shallots, and proceed with the recipe, but do not whisk in the butter. To serve, reheat the sauce in the skillet used to brown the quail, bringing it to a gentle simmer, and stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Whisk in the butter as directed.

Ingredients

Quail and Stuffing:

  • 3 1/2 cups cubed brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 pound Spanish-style chorizo sausage, finely diced
  • 3 ribs celery, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 6 to 8 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
  • 3 dried apricots, chopped
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • About 1 cup homemade brown chicken stock, or low-sodium canned chicken broth (see note)
  • 8 whole quail

Sauce:

  • 1 shallot, sliced
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 1 cup demi-glace or reduced brown chicken stock
  • 6 dried apricots, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons dried currants
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • Wilted Greens, optional, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

For the Quail and Stuffing: Spread the brioche cubes on a baking sheet and bake until dry but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes. Add the celery, garlic, onion, sage and apricots and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool slightly.

Add the brioche cubes to the vegetables and toss. Add the egg, salt, pepper, and enough of the chicken broth to moisten the bread, and toss.

Season the quail inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff each quail loosely with the brioche mixture and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Put the remaining stuffing into a lightly buttered casserole dish. (The recipe may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead, covered, and refrigerated.)

Bake the stuffing until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil in an ovenproof medium skillet over high heat. Add half the quail and cook, turning as each side gets a rich mahogany brown, about 8 minutes in all. Transfer to a low roasting pan or casserole dish just large enough to hold the quail. Repeat with the remaining quail, adding more olive oil if necessary. Reserve the skillet and drippings. Transfer the quail to the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the cavity reads 160 degrees, about 20 minutes.

For the Sauce: Add the shallots to the reserved drippings in the skillet over medium heat and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the red wine and simmer until reduced by about half, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits. Add the demi-glace or chicken stock, the apricots and currants. Simmer until fruit is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

Transfer the quail to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Whisk the butter into the sauce a bit at a time until the sauce is glossy and coats the back of a spoon. (If necessary, gently reheat the sauce before whisking in the butter off the heat.)

To serve, spoon some of the stuffing into the centers of 4 dinner plates. Set 2 quail on top, spoon some sauce over, and ring with some of the Wilted Greens.

Wilted Greens:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 shallots, sliced (about 1/2 cup)

1 pound Swiss chard, stems diced, leaves coarsely chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and chard stems and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown, about 6 minutes. Stir in the chard leaves and cook, tossing, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Note: Brown chicken stock adds depth and flavor to this simple pan sauce. It is easy to make and great to have on hand in the freezer. Visit foodnetwork.com to find a recipe (search for "brown chicken stock").

Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 2 reviews

  • on April 23, 2011

    Flag

    I made this recipe for my family's Easter celebration and it was a drop-dead, fantastic hit. My quail was already butterflied and stuffing it was not really an option, so I cooked the quail and stuffing separately. I added a piece of coppocola ham on top of each quail when I roasted it. The sauce was excellent and took the whole presentation over the top.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on June 20, 2007

    Flag

    I have been to culinary school and am always looking on the food network website for new ideas, and this brioche and chorizo stuffing is a wonderful combination.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
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© 2012 Television Food Network G.P. All rights reserved.