WARM SALAD WITH CRISPED SPINACH AND QUAIL

Warm Salad With Crisped Spinach And Quail image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 drops Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
Breasts from 4 quails
Kosher salt to taste
12 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 quart of peanut oil, for deep frying
3/4 pound fresh spinach, stemmed, washed and dried well
Kosher salt to taste
4 cups mesclun
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Steps:

To make the sauce, place the olive oil, cream, vinegar, garlic, salt and Tabasco in a saucepan over medium heat. Boil, lower the heat and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.
To make the quail, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the quail and saute about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet, season with salt, set aside and keep warm.
To make the spinach, heat the oil in a deep, heavy pot to 350 degrees. Carefully add the spinach (the grease will splatter) and fry until crisp, about 1 minute. Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels. Season with salt.
To assemble the salads, divide the mesclun among 4 plates. Top with the quail and sprinkle with the basil. Spoon the sauce over it all and garnish with the fried spinach and pine nuts. Serve immediately.