SPICE-RUBBED QUAIL

Spice-Rubbed Quail image

Provided by Ruth Cousineau

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 (4- to 5-ounce) semi-boneless quail
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
Scant 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Scant 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons mild molasses
2 tablespoons finely chopped scallion
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

Marinate quail:
Wash quail and pat dry. Stir together salt, black pepper, cayenne, and allspice and rub all over quail. Arrange quail in 1 layer in a baking pan and marinate, covered and chilled, at least 1 hour.
Make sauce:
Simmer broth, lime juice, molasses, and scallion in a small heavy saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until incorporated. Season sauce with salt and pepper and keep warm.
Broil quail:
Arrange oven rack so that top of quail (on top of broiler pan) will be 2 inches from heat, then preheat broiler.
Lightly oil broiler pan and heat under broiler until hot. Brush quail (on both sides) with olive oil and broil 2 inches from heat, turning once, until just cooked through, 6 to 10 minutes total.
Serve quail drizzled with sauce.