Uzbekistani Quail Grilled In Grape Leaves Food

BAXTER ROAD GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the chicken pieces under cold running water, then drain and blot dry with paper towels. Place in a large nonreactive bowl or baking dish and set aside while you prepare the marinade.2. Combine the garlic, shallots, chives, bell pepper, celery, chile, parsley, and thyme in a food processor and process to a smooth paste. Add 2 tablespoons lime juice, the soy sauce, and oil and process until blended and smooth. Taste for seasoning and add salt, pepper, and lime juice as needed the mixture should be highly seasoned. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the bowl and turn the pieces to coat. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 12 hours (the longer the better).3. Preheat the grill, using the two-tiered method.4. When ready to cook, oil the grill grate. Remove the chicken pieces from the bowl, reserving any marinade that has drained off. Arrange the pieces, skin side down, on the grate over the hotter section of the grill and cook. Brush the pieces once or twice with the reserved marinade, but not during the last 5 minutes.5. Transfer the chicken pieces to serving plates or a platter and serve.Serves 4

UZBEKISTANI QUAIL GRILLED IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the grape leaves under cold running water, then let soak in a bowl of cold water to cover for 1 hour, changing the water several times.2. Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-high.3. Remove and discard the fat just inside the body cavities of the quail, rinse the quail inside and out, under cold running water, then drain and blot dry, inside and out, with paper towels. Leave the quail whole. Place a little spice paste in the cavity of each bird rub the remaining spice paste on the skin.4. Drain the grape leaves and blot dry. Wrap each quail in 5 grape leaves and tie securely with kitchen string.5. Nestle the wrapped quail in the ashes. Roast until the birds are cooked, 15 to 20 minutes, turning the quail from time to time with tongs. To test for doneness, insert the tip of a metal skewer or sharp knife into the thickest part of a thigh. It should come out very hot to the touch.6. Serve the quail in the leaves, but since they've been in the ashes, the leaves will be inedible, so should be removed before the quail are eaten.Serves 4

QUAIL ROASTED IN VINE LEAVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• If vine leaves have been packed in brine, drain. Add to basin of salt water, rinse, pat dry.
• Sprinkle quail inside and out with salt and pepper. Truss and cover each with vine leaf. Cover with rectangle of fatback. Tie with string.
• Using 4 tablespoons of butter, grease 2 skillets and arrange half of quail, breast side up, in each. Quail should not be too close. Bake in oven 10 minutes. Turn on sides and bake about 3 minutes. Turn to other side and bake 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer quail to other skillet and pour fat from empty one. Add 1/2 of Cognac and stir to dissolve particles. Add 1/2 of broth and cook 5 minutes.
• Transfer quail to skillet containing broth. Pour fat from second skillet. Repeat with remaining Cognac and broth. Pour sauce on quail.
• Remove string and fatback, or broil until fatback is crisp.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in skillet and when it is hazelnut brown pour it over quail. Serve hot with wild rice or on toast.

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.

QUAIL AND GRAPES

Steps:

• Rinse quail and pat dry. Season inside and out with salt and pepper. Put a small amount of grated garlic in each bird's cavity, as well as the chopped rosemary and thyme. Drizzle birds with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and let marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour. (You may refrigerate for several hours or overnight; bring to room temperature before roasting.)
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place onions in a small ovenproof skillet or pie pan, and season with salt and pepper. Toss with balsamic vinegar and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to coat. Bake until slightly softened and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Spread remaining rosemary and thyme sprigs on a baking sheet or in a low-sided roasting pan. Lay quail on top of herbs, breast-side down. Roast for about 15 minutes, until puffed and lightly browned.
• Turn birds breast-side up and surround with roasted onions and grape clusters. Continue roasting for 10 minutes more. If necessary, put birds under the broiler to crisp the skin. Let rest 10 minutes and serve.

SEA CAPTAIN'S CHICKEN TIKKA

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the chicken pieces under cold running water and remove and discard the skin. Then drain and blot dry with paper towels. Place the chicken pieces in a large nonreactive bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and toss to mix. Let stand for 5 minutes.2. Meanwhile, crush the cardamom pods in a mortar, using the pestle, then add the garlic and ginger and pound to a coarse paste or process the ingredients to a paste in a mini chopper or spice mill. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and stir in the yogurt, lemon juice, black pepper, cayenne, food coloring (if using), and salt to taste. Pour the marinade over the chicken in the bowl and turn the pieces to coat. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 6 to 12 hours (the longer the better).3. Preheat the grill to high.4. When ready to cook, oil the grill grate. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and arrange them on the hot grate. Grill, turning with tongs, 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 and the breast meat near the bone shows no trace of pink, 6 to 8 minutes per side.5. Transfer the chicken to serving plates or a platter and serve topped with the sliced onion.Serves 4