Afghan Grilled Quail Food

GRILLED QUAIL

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, shallots, thyme, oil, and pepper. Add the quail and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
• Place the marinated quail on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side. Brush the quail with Maple Bacon Vinaigrette and grill for 2 more minutes. Place each quail on 1 ounce of arugula.
• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside. In a food processor, combine the bacon fat, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, syrup, vinegar, shallot, and garlic. Mix well and slowly drizzle in the oil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in bacon pieces.

GRILLED QUAIL WITH POMEGRANATE-ORANGE BBQ SAUCE AND TABOULI WITH QUINOA AND SHREDDED KALE

Steps:

• For the tabouli: Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan, cover with 1 3/4 cups cold water and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, lower the heat and cook until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
• Put the quinoa in a large bowl; add the tomatoes, mint, kale, cucumbers and onions and mix to combine. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon and orange zests and juices, and season with salt and pepper. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The longer the salad sits the better the flavors become.
• For the pomegranate-orange BBQ sauce: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add the onions and cook until soft. Add the pomegranate juice, orange juice, pomegranate molasses, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon sticks and orange zest and cook until reduced by half. Add the ketchup and cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, whisk in the mustard, salt and pepper and let cool slightly. Remove the cinnamon sticks before using. Remove about 1 cup of the sauce for serving.
• For the quail: Heat the grill to medium high for direct grilling. Brush the quail with canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put breast-side down on the grill and cook about 3 minutes. Flip, brush with the barbecue sauce, cover the grill and cook another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter and serve with the reserved barbecue sauce and the tabouli.

GRILLED TEXAS QUAIL

Steps:

• Marinate the quail in olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs in the refrigerator overnight.
• Remove from the refrigerator and sprinkle Creole seasoning blend on both sides. Grill on high heat over mesquite wood until done (about 4 to 5 minutes per side).

GRILLED QUAIL, TUSCAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Start wood or charcoal fire or preheat gas grill or broiler.
• Cut along each side of the breastbone of each bird, then straight down through where thigh meets body to get 2 semi-boneless halves from each bird. (Don't worry if skin holding thigh and drumstick together separates.) Combine with all other ingredients in bowl or heavy plastic bag and stir or shake to coat. If time allows, marinate for an hour or so.
• Grill quail, turning as needed, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

AFGHAN-STYLE GAME HENS

Steps:

• 1. Remove and discard the fat just inside the body cavities of the game hens. Remove the packages of giblets (if any) and set aside for another use. Rinse the hens, inside and out, under cold running water, then drain and blot dry with paper towels, inside and out. Place the hens in a large, deep nonreactive bowl or baking dish and set aside while you prepare the marinade.2. Combine the oil, yogurt, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a medium-size bowl and whisk to blend. Stir in the onions, garlic, sliced lemon, and bird peppers, then pour the mixture over the game hens in the larger bowl, turning the birds to coat. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, 8 to 24 hours (the longer the better), turning the hens occasionally.3. Set up the grill for rotisserie cooking.4. When ready to cook, place the hens on the spit and set the spit in place on the grill. Turn on the rotisserie and cook until the birds are nicely browned and the juices run clear when the tip of a skewer or sharp knife is inserted in the thickest part of a thigh, 20 to 35 minutes if the grill is covered, somewhat longer uncovered.5. Unspit the hens and transfer to a cutting board or platter. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.Serves 4Note: If desired, you may cook the hens directly on the grill. Spatchcook the birds or cut lengthwise in half with poultry shears, then marinate as directed in step 2 and grill as directed in the preceding recipe.

AFGHAN GRILLED QUAIL

Steps:

• 1. Set a yogurt strainer, or regular strainer lined with a double layer of dampened cheesecloth, over a bowl. Add the yogurt to the strainer and let drain, in the refrigerator, for 2 to 3 hours.2. Remove the drained yogurt from the refrigerator and discard the liquid. Transfer the yogurt (it will be semifirm but not dry), to a large nonreactive bowl or baking dish. Add the paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, the coriander, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and black pepper and whisk to blend. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and cayenne as necessary the mixture should be highly seasoned. Set aside while you prepare the quail.3. Remove and discard the fat just inside the body cavities. Rinse the quail inside and out, under cold running water, then drain and blot dry with paper towels. Spatchcock the quail following the directions.4. Add the quail to the bowl with the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, 12 to 24 hours, turning the birds occasionally.5. Preheat the grill to high.6. When ready to grill, oil the grate. Remove the quail from the marinade and place them, skin side down, on the hot grate. Cook until nicely browned and the juices run clear when the tip of a skewer or sharp knife is inserted in the thickest part of a thigh, 4 to 6 minutes per side (8 to 12 minutes in all).7. Transfer the quail to serving plates or a platter, and serve immediately.Serves 4

EASY GRILLED QUAIL

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Combine parsley, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add olive oil and stir until evenly combined. Brush seasoned oil over both sides of the quail.
• Grill for 8 minutes. Carefully flip with tongs and grill for 8 minutes more.