Recipes Roasted Quail with Corn Bread Stuffing and Port-Orange Sauce Be the first to rate & review! The sweet port and orange sauce makes the dish at once robust and refined. At the ranch, the quail are served with a side dish of Savoy Cabbage and Pancetta. More Stuffings and Dressings By Food & Wine Editors Updated on December 22, 2021 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Frances Janisch Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins Yield: 4 Ingredients 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 small celery ribs, finely chopped 1 1/4 teaspoons rubbed sage 1/2 cup finely chopped dates 4 cups crumbled Buttermilk Corn Bread 1 large egg, lightly beaten Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, plus more for rubbing 1 small carrot, finely chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste 1/2 cup ruby port 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest 1/2 cup fresh orange juice 1 quart chicken stock or low-sodium broth 1 bay leaf 1 thyme sprig 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 8 partially boned quail 1/4 teaspoon finely ground fennel seeds Directions In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add half of the onion and 1 celery rib and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the sage, 2 tablespoons of the butter and the dates and remove the skillet from the heat. In a large bowl, combine the corn bread with the contents of the skillet. Add the egg and blend well, then season with salt and pepper. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Add the remaining onion and cook over high heat until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the carrot and the remaining celery and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until glossy, about 30 seconds. Add the port, orange zest and orange juice and boil over high heat until reduced by three-fourths, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme sprig and black peppercorns and bring to a boil, then simmer over moderate heat until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 30 minutes. Strain the sauce into a small saucepan. Preheat the oven to 350°. Scoop up 1/2 cup of the corn bread stuffing and squeeze to form it into a fat cylinder. Slide the cylinder into a quail and press to shape the quail around the stuffing. Pull the neck skin over the stuffing and secure with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining stuffing and quail. In a small bowl, mix the ground fennel with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of sage. Rub the quail all over with oil and sprinkle with the spice mixture. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add 4 of the quail, breast side down, and cook over high heat until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn the quail and cook for 2 minutes longer. Transfer the quail to a large rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and 4 quail. 7. Roast the quail in the oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the stuffing registers 155°, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the port sauce to a boil. Off the heat, whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce onto plates, set 2 stuffed quail in the center of each and serve. Make Ahead The corn bread stuffing and the sauce base can be refrigerated separately overnight. Suggested Pairing A German Riesling with lots of rich fruit and a hint of sweetness will blend with the buttery corn bread and sweet dates in the stuffing. Rate it Print