Spice Rubbed Quail Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Rub the quail with half the olive oil, then sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Put them breast side up in a roasting pan just large enough to accommodate them. Combine remaining ingredients and brush about half of this mixture over the birds; put in oven.
• After about 10 minutes of roasting, baste with remaining mixture, then continue to roast until done, about 10 minutes more. Serve birds hot, with pan juices, or warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Break cinnamon stick in half, then finely grind cinnamon, cumin, coriander, peppercorns, and cloves together in grinder. Transfer spice mixture to a large bowl and whisk in paprika, cayenne, ginger, salt, cilantro, garlic, and oil. Add quail, turning to coat, then transfer to a large sealable plastic bag and marinate, chilled, 2 hours.
• Thirty minutes before cooking, prepare grill for cooking over indirect heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas); see "Grilling Procedure," below.
• Arrange 2 quail on a work surface side by side, breast sides up, with drumsticks closest to you. Horizontally thread 1 skewer through drumsticks and the lower carcasses of birds. Thread a second skewer, parallel to first, through wings and upper carcasses, then arrange quail so that there is 1 inch of space between the birds. Repeat procedure on remaining quail, 2 at a time.
• Lightly season quail with salt, then grill on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once, 5 to 6 minutes total. Serve quail with lemon wedges.

Steps:

• To make the marinade: In a small bowl, mix together all the marinated ingredients.
• Put the quail in a large heavy-duty plastic zip-top bag.
• Pour in the marinade (if one bag isn't big enough, then use two bags and divide the marinade).
• Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly.
• Shake gently to distribute the marinade.
• Refrigerate 1-8 hours and turn occasionally.
• Take the quail out of the bag and throw away marinade.
• Pat quail dry with paper towels.
• Lightly brush the quail with vegetable oil.
• In a small bowl, add all the seasoning blend ingredients; stir to combine.
• Sprinkle seasoning blend over quail.
• Grill with breast side down over INDIRECT medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until the juices are slightly pink (turn once halfway through grill time).