Crispy Smoked Quail Salad With Bourbon Molasses Dressing Food

CRISPY SMOKED QUAIL SALAD WITH BOURBON-MOLASSES DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk together the honey, ketjap manis, and oil in a medium bowl. Nestle the quail in the marinade, ensuring that each inside cavity is moistened, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Drain the quail and cold-smoke (see below) for about 15 minutes. The quail should not cook in the process.
• Whisk together the molasses, vinegars, and shallot in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and stir in the bourbon.
• Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. The batter should be the consistency of whipping cream in order to lightly coat the quail.
• Heat 2 1/2 inches of the frying oil in a deep skillet (large enough to hold the quail in a single layer) to about 350°F. Dip the quail in the batter. Lift them out of the batter and hold over the container, letting the excess drip off. Fry the quail for about 4 minutes, turning once. Drain them on paper towels, cool slightly, and cut into quarters (2 legs and 2 breasts).
• Place 4 pear wedges on each of four plates. Toss the greens with a few spoonfuls of dressing and the celery hearts and pickled onions, and divide among the plates. Top the salads with the quail and sprinkle with spiced pecans. Drizzle with more dressing, if desired.
• Cold smoking allows you to cool the smoke before it reaches the food (so the food absorbs flavor without cooking. To cold-smoke, open the vents on both the bottom of the grill and the lid. Remove the lid and top rack from the grill, and center a disposable roasting pan on the coals. Place 1 1/2 cups of sawdust in the pan. Fill the drip pan between the grill and the hot coals with an aluminum or metal tub of ice. Cover the grill and smoke for 15 minutes.

CAJUN-SPICED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pecans and remaining ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Cool completely, then loosen from the baking sheet with a metal spatula. Store any leftovers in an airtight tin.