Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups buttermilk, divided
  • 3 tablespoons Emeril's Original Essence, recipe follows
  • 3 tablespoons your favorite Louisiana style red hot sauce (recommended: Crystal)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 8 semi-boneless quail (only the small leg bone should remain)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Peanut oil, for frying
  • 6 to 8 cups assorted greens (arugula, frisee, radicchio, watercress, mustard, or other salad greens)
  • Sliced tomatoes, for garnish
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • Place the egg, garlic, mustard, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor and, while the motor is running, slowly drizzle the oil into the machine until completely incorporated and an emulsion is formed.
  • Transfer to a small bowl and add the buttermilk, green onions, Parmesan, salt, and pepper, to taste.
  • Whisk to combine and set aside, refrigerated, while you prepare the quail.
  • Sauce may be made 1 day in advance.
  • Combine 1 1/2 cups of the buttermilk, the Essence, hot sauce and garlic in a large nonreactive bowl.
  • Stir to blend.
  • Immerse the quail in the mixture and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and for up to 24 hours.
  • Place the flour in a plastic resealable food storage bag and set aside.
  • Place the remaining buttermilk in a small bowl.
  • Working 1 or 2 at a time, remove the quail from the marinade and place in the bag with the flour; shake to coat well.
  • Remove the quail and shake off the excess flour.
  • Dip the quail into the buttermilk and then place back into the flour.
  • Shake again to coat well.
  • Transfer to a large wire rack set over a sheet pan and let rest until ready to fry, at least 20 minutes.
  • Repeat with remaining quail.
  • In a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat enough oil (to come 4-inches up the sides) over medium-high heat to 325 degrees F on a deep-fry or candy thermometer.
  • Add the quail in batches and fry undisturbed until golden brown and floating on the surface of the oil, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Remove the quail and drain on paper towels.
  • (Note: An even oil temperature is the key to successfully frying quail; a clip-on candy or deep-fry thermometer should be kept in the pot at all times.
  • The temperature should remain between 300 and 325 degrees F during cooking.)
  • Allow the quail to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
  • Add the greens to a large bowl and add enough dressing just to coat the greens.
  • Toss well, then mound about 1 1/2 cups of salad in the center of each of 4 plates.
  • Arrange the quail around each mound of greens.
  • Sprinkle each serving with some tomato slices and serve immediately, with more dressing on the side for guests to drizzle over their salads, as desired.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Yield: 2/3 cup