Hot and Sour Egg Drop Soup with Quail

Chinese Marinade:

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 stalk celery, diced

1 medium carrot, diced

1 medium Spanish onion, diced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1/4 cup coriander, chopped

1 teaspoon crushed black peppercorns

1 tablespoon dry sherry or Marsala

1 tablespoon sesame oil

4 tablespoons soy sauce

3 quail, deboned

Peanut oil for deep frying

Hot and Sour Egg Drop Soup:

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 bulbs shallots, cut in thin rings

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely julienned

1 cup black tree ear mushrooms, or wild, finely sliced

1/2 cup Shiitake mushrooms, finely sliced

1/2 roasted red bell pepper, julienned

1/2 cup tomato con casse (tomatoes peeled, seeded and chopped)

2 pieces hot red Thai chilis or any Mexican chili

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 tablespoon Parmesan, preferably Reggiano, grated

2 whole eggs

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Balsamic vinegar, good quality

Chives, minced, for garnish

Coriander, chopped, for garnish

Pinch white pepper