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Ingredients

For the rub

For the paste

  • 1 tsp white peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for frying
  • 2 tsp flour

For the salad

For the dressing

Method

  • STEP 1

    Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put all the rub ingredients in a mortar and use a pestle to grind them together, then rub some inside each quail.

  • STEP 2

    For the paste, again grind 1 tsp sea salt and the pepper together in a mortar using a pestle, then stir in the oil and flour.

  • STEP 3

    Heat a little vegetable oil in a heavybased frying pan and carefully brown the quails all over – in batches if you need. Lift into a roasting tin, rub all over with the salt and pepper paste, then roast in the oven for 10-15 mins until golden and cooked to your liking.

  • STEP 4

    For the salad, pound the dressing ingredients together using a mortar and pestle. Mix all the salad ingredients in a bowl. Just before serving, toss the dressing with the salad and serve alongside the quail and rice.

RECIPE TIPS
BLANCHING BEANS

To blanch beans, cut them into lengths, then cook in boiling, salted water for 3-5 mins until tender but still with a slight 'bite'.

COOK IT ON THE BBQ

To cook quails on the barbecue, spatchcock them as in this technique video, before cooking through on the barbecue.

PERFECT RICE

Wash 225g/8oz long-grain rice until the water runs clear, then put it in a goodsize saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add 300ml water, a good pinch of salt and bring to the boil with the lid on. Continue to boil for 6 mins, then turn the heat to as low as possible and continue to cook for 5 mins. Turn off the heat but don’t lift the lid, then leave for 10 mins before fluffing up the grains with a large fork and serving.

Goes well with

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