How do you prepare your Coturnix quail for dinner?

[Nabiki]

And how did everything taste? If you tease us like this, we need an eating report. Worth plucking or not?

I think so. I like the skin on chicken and turkey, though, so it's not a surprise that I like the quail. The flavourful crispiness of it enhances the flavour of the meat. I'm not going to pluck all of the quail I butcher, but maybe 1 in 4 or 6.

 

[RUNuts]

I think so. I like the skin on chicken and turkey, though, so it's not a surprise that I like the quail. The flavourful crispiness of it enhances the flavour of the meat. I'm not going to pluck all of the quail I butcher, but maybe 1 in 4 or 6.

I'm actually considering getting another smoker. Been years since I smoked meat. Oven roasted is good. Smoked bird is better. Smoked bird with the skin wrapped in bacon is the best.

 

[Nabiki]

I'm actually considering getting another smoker. Been years since I smoked meat. Oven roasted is good. Smoked bird is better. Smoked bird with the skin wrapped in bacon is the best.

I may have to try that. I have an electric smoker, so I can only bring it out during non-rainy/wet times. It's that time now.

 

[RUNuts]

I may have to try that. I have an electric smoker, so I can only bring it out during non-rainy/wet times. It's that time now.

I highly recommend it.
<me thinking out loud>
Try it and if too dry, brine the birds. Jalapeno under the skin. Tony Chachere's Seasoning mix as a rub.

 

[RUNuts]

Tried to stir fry today, but decided to leave the quail whole. Wound up more steamed than stir fried.

Grease the pan, added kale spines shopped 1/2" or less. Browned the quail. Simmered for 20 minutes. Added canned tomatoes, broccoli, kale leaves and a couple spoons of corn. Wound up cooking another 40 minutes until quail were done. Seasoned with salt & pepper.

Ate with a buttered sweet potato and toast. Good start. Next time I won't be lazy and will chop the little guys up. Butchered Friday and rested all weekend in the frig.

I've been missing the basil. It did not return this year. Will have to plant more. It would have been wonderful here.

What do you season the stir fry with? Soy free, so soy sauce and miso is no go.

 

[007Sean]

Well, first you have to get all the places set on that tiny little quail-height table, then you get them all into their little bibs, then-

Ah, I think I've misinterpreted the question.

Serious answer, my dad used to prepare quail breasts by baking them on a sheet in the oven, with bacon laid over them. It makes for lousy, floppy bacon (he'd save it to toss into chili) and tasty quail. You could probably do that with the legs, too. And I know on cooking shows I've seen them just cut a butchered quail in half, cover in spices, and roast it in a skillet.
Or you could grind them up in a food processor to make a truly awful but very high-protein shake.

Fishkeeper you beat me to it...I was going to say the same thing, invite them in, let them sit wherever they want, put a bib on them...etc....

 

[mdees88]

My uncle came back in town and cooked his quail gravy again. I got pictures this time. It was amazing.

First step is to season the quail with slap ya mama or any cajun seasoning and brown them in a little oil.

Keep browning and you can add a little bit of water to keep all the crusty pieces (the fond) from burning.

Then remove the quail and add some diced up onion and bell pepper. Brown them too then add a little flour and some water to make the gravy. Then you throw the quail back in and continue cooking.

Keep cooking. You can add some instant roux to thicken or cook out the water until it thickens up. Cook until the quail just starts to begin to fall off the bone. Then try a little gravy and season to taste, he just added a little more slap ya mama but SPG would work too.

Serve over BASMATI rice.... don't skimp.

It's some seriously good stuff.....

 

[Nabiki]

This thread needs a bump since the holidays are coming, and that means cooking!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nabiki/albums/72157720057185326

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

With my in-laws' appetites, I'd have to buy the 240 hatching pack just like you, @Nabiki. I think we'll stick to store-bought turkey.

 

[RoosterML]

This is my favorite so far!
Google (Taste of home Quail and rice)
So good and easy to make.