Saturday, April 19, 2014

Q is for Quail and Quinoa Pilaf

Q

Quail is a collective name for several mid sized birds. Even the Bobwhite qualifies as a quail and this iBrown_Quails a bird well known to those living in the Southern States. Sometimes they would start calling under our bedroom window at night and drive us potty. Many of the common larger quail are raised for the table and are considered something of a delicacy as are their eggs which are pretty small. I personally have never eaten them but I know my parents did at least once if not more. They are also hunted in season. Such a little bird, seems a tad unfair somehow. In 2007 the US produced 40 million quail. We used to know a guy in the Carolinas who’s name was Bob White. His house was called Quail’s Nest.

This is a recipe for quinoa which has become a very popular grain these days and I have used quite a bit. Quinoa is pronounced Kinwa. I could, of course, have given you a recipe for Quail eggs and caviar.


Quinoa Pilaf in Lettuce Cups

 Quinoa-Pilaf-in-Lettuce-CupsFood Network, UK

 Ingredients
  • 350 ml water
  • 8 oz. quinoa, picked and rinsed well (the red kind is prettier, but either the red or the white is fine)
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion, finely Technique: Chop To cut large ingredients or dishes into smaller chunks using a sharp knife. You can chop using a serrated blade fitted inside your food processor.
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tbs pine nuts
  • 2 tbs chopped dried cherries
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 grapefruit, zested, plus 2 tbs juice
  • 1 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated
 

Method

1) Bring the water and quinoa to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until quinoa is cooked and curly white germ shows, about 20 minutes.
2) Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and spices, and sauté until the onion has softened and the spices are very fragrant.
3) Stir in the pine nuts and fruit and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
4) Add the cooked quinoa (all the water should have been absorbed) to the skillet. Stir in the grapefruit zest and grapefruit juice. Taste and season with salt, pepper, to taste. Allow to sit off the heat for 10 minutes so the flavours seep into the quinoa.

Serve in lettuce cups.

Have a great weekend
Jo (2)

32 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - I enjoy quail occasionally ... and quinoa is something I occasionally (once again!) get pre-prepared by Marks and Spencer .. I like the idea of the cherries and grapefruit juice and zest as flavour enhancers .. I often used to use grapefruit pieces or juice in this way .. cheers Hilary

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    1. As I said, never eaten them. Not even sure if I can get them round here.

      I do enjoy quinoa, have eaten it in a couple of recipes. It is good for you too.

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  2. I've never had quail before. Although turkey and chicken are the extent of my edible fowl experience.

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    1. Me either. In the UK I often had goose or duck but not here they are extremely expensive in this part of Canada.

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  3. Happy Easter Jo. I've never had quail, quails eggs or quinoa .. but the only one of those I fancy is the quinoa as the recipe sounds delicious - will look out for it now

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    1. Happy Easter to you Sue. I believe quail are delicious, but don't know. Apparently you can get quinoa prepared in M & S.

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  4. I've never eaten quail, but we used to see them in the yard when we first moved here. As for quinoa, I just did a recipe test with it and I am not a fan. I think I prefer rice.

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    1. One of these days I have got to try them. Quinoa is good for you Denise. I have made things with it several times and like it very much.

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  5. You could have matched the animal and recipe today! But not one for caviar, so that's fine.

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    1. I love caviar, although I have never had the really good stuff. Too expensive. My mother used to order it in restaurants, cost an arm and a leg. She only got a teaspoonful (looked like) too.

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    2. And thanks for the beautiful Easter eCard you sent - appreciate it! Hope you're having a wonderful Easter.

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    3. You're very welcome. Easter going very well thanks, hope yours is too.

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  6. We have lots of quail and bob whites here in coastal MA too.

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  7. Hi human, Jo,

    Right on "Q", I finally get here :) This was one Quail of a tale. I'm not so sure I would attempt that recipe. My human is fussy.

    Have a peaceful Easter, my human friend.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny, the friendly host of the Alphabark Challenge! :)

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    1. Hi Penny, I think your human would probably enjoy quinoa it really is very enjoyable. I have another recipe I posted last year, I think, which we have made several time and it's absolutely delicious.

      A great Easter to you Penny and to Gary. My pawsitive wishes for you both.

      How is the Alphabark Challenge doing?

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  8. I've been calling it 'Kwin oh u' so thank you for enlightening me. No wonder people looked at me strangely.

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    1. I enjoy it, I have posted a salad made with it and radiccio etc. previously and we found it delicious.

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  9. Is quinoa a relatively new food trend? My stepdaughter mentioned it first--her mom is one of those health food trend types. But since she mentioned it, I've seen it everywhere!

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    1. Yes, it hasn't been around that long in the Americas anyway. It is delicious, IMHOP.

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  10. Quail are such an entertaining birds. How the scurry along from bush to shrub!

    They are also delicious. It would have taken a herd of quail to have fed my brothers.

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    1. I think it would take a lot of quail to feed most people. I think, but am not sure, they are generally served as a starter rather than a main course.

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  11. I've never really made quinoa, but I need to since it's so healthy. Maybe I'll start with this one. (http://www.reflectionsenroute.com)

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  12. We enjoy it now and again Corinne. I have made this salad http://tinyurl.com/lw82gyz several times and it is really delicious. If that link doesn't work, type quinoa in the search box and it will bring up the salad with quinoa.

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  13. Yum. A pairing of cherries and tumeric is interesting. I'm always looking for recipes to try with quinoa. Thanks.

    Quail grow wild in California, too. It's our state bird. I love how they have a curly que on the top of their heads, and, as the Husband imitates, say "Chicago! Chicago!"
    The View from the Top of the Ladder

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    1. I posted a salad with quinoa at this link http://tinyurl.com/lw82gyz which is also very good.

      The ones in NC say Bob White which is why they bear that name. Drives you nuts when you are trying to sleep at night.

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  14. That looks like a lovely recipe for Quinoa. We have it often but I don't get very creative with it. I have never eaten quail...just the thought of it is icky to me :) I enjoy your blog!
    Visting from A-Z Challenge http://floodproofmum.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. We enjoy quinoa. If you eat chicken what's wrong with quail?

      Thanks for returning my visit.

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  15. That quinoa recipe sounds lovely. I really enjoy quinoa but my other half is not convinced. This might just convince him I'm right.

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    1. Hope it does Helen. If not try the Quinoa salad recipe I have directed to above.

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  16. Jo I love quinoa, this is a yummy recipe, I missed the A-Z challenge this year, seem to be so much going on, looking forward to strolling round yours!

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    1. I love quinoa too, haven't made it for a while though. Nice of you to stroll round my A to Zs.

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