Quail with Pomegranate Jus Recipe

Quail with Pomegranate Jus Recipe

  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots (2 medium)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh or bottled pomegranate juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
  • 3/8 teaspoon salt
  • 8 semiboneless quail
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup fresh pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)
  1. Combine shallots, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice, 2 teaspoons tarragon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add quail, tossing gently to coat, then marinate, covered and chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
  2. Remove quail from marinade, scraping off shallots and reserving marinade, then pat quail dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides. Cook 4 quail, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes total. (Quail will be rare.) Transfer cooked quail to a serving dish and keep warm, loosely covered with foil. Cook remaining 4 quail in remaining 2 tablespoons butter in same manner, transferring to serving dish.
  4. Add reserved marinade to skillet and cook over moderately high heat, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon, until shallots are just softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice and season with salt, then spoon over quail. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and remaining teaspoon tarragon.
  5. To juice a pomegranate, cut in half crosswise, then use a manual or electric juicer. Alternatively, remove seeds from pomegranate and pulse seeds in a food processor until juicy, then transfer seeds to a sieve and drain, pressing on and then discarding solids.