- 6 whole jumbo quail (6 to 8 ounces each)
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika (preferably sweet Hungarian)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn or canola oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Moroccan-spiced vegetables
- bulgur pilaf or couscous
- With poultry shears or a sharp knife cut off necks, feet, and first 2 wing joints of each quail and discard. Cut out and discard backbones and halve each quail lengthwise through breast.
- Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt. In a small heavy skillet heat garlic paste and paprika in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and stir in lime juice and cayenne.
- Pat quail dry and season with pepper and salt. Divide oil and butter between two 12-inch heavy skillets and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add quail and sauté, skin sides down, until skin is golden, about 2 minutes. Turn quail over and sauté 2 minutes more. Turn quail skin sides down and sauté 1 minute more, or until skin is golden brown but meat is barely pink for medium.
- Serve quail with Moroccan vegetables and bulgur pilaf or couscous. Drizzle paprika sauce over and around vegetables and quail.