Alabama Smothered Dove Food

SMOKED DOVES WITH GUAJILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Dissolve the salt and curing salt into the water and submerge the doves in it. Set this in the fridge for no less than 4 hours, and no more than 24 hours; I prefer 12 hours. Remove, rinse briefly and pat dry.
• Get your smoker going to about 170F to 200F. Use whatever wood you like, but I prefer mesquite or oak. Smoke your doves for 2 hours, with smoke going the whole time.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Pour boiling water over the dried chiles to rehydrate them. While this is happening, char the onion and garlic in a hot, dry skillet until you get some nice blackening. Peel the garlic and put it in a blender. Roughly chop the onion and put that in there, too.
• Put the guajillo chiles and all the remaining ingredients into the blender and puree. Thin the sauce with some of the chile soaking water, lager beer or water. Adjust the seasoning with salt and lime.
• You can either paint the doves with this sauce in the last hour of cooking, or you can remove the birds from the smoked, cut then in half with kitchen shears or a knife, and then bathe them in the sauce. Serve with plenty of napkins and a bone bowl. Watch out for birdshot!

LLANO SMOTHERED DOVES

Steps:

• Rub the doves with salt and pepper.
• Warm the olive oil over medium heat, and brown the doves well, turning them once.
• Transfer the doves to a plate.
• To the hot oil, add the onion, garlic, and rosemary, and sauté until the onion has softened.
• Return the doves to the skillet, and add the stock and sherry.
• Bring the liquid to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Transfer doves to serving platter and keep warm.
• Pour the cream and bitters into the pan juices.
• Put the flour into a small bowl.
• Spoon a few Tbsps.
• of warm liquid into the flour and stir well.
• Stir flour mixture into the skillet and bring to a boil.
• Cook until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
• Adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Pour the gravy over the doves and serve.

SMOTHERED QUAIL OR DOVE

Steps:

• Note: 12 doves can be substituted for the 6 quail.
• Season the quail with salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in a heavy skillet and brown the quail.
• Remove the quail to a baking dish.
• Add flour to the butter in the skillet and stir to combine.
• Slowly add the chicken broth, sherry, salt and pepper.
• Mix well and pour over the quail.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes - 1 hour or until the quail are done.
• This is very good served over rice with some homemade biscuits.