Jul 13 2026
RestaurantsV. MertzStuffed Quail Recipe

Stuffed Quail Recipe

Inspired by V. Mertz
Time1h
Serves4

Black beluga lentil, haricots verts, red heirloom tomato, carrot confit, pickled fresno, bacon crumb

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Ingredients

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Stuffing

Method

Stuffing Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Lentils

    Rinse the black beluga lentils under cold water. In a medium saucepan, add the lentils and cover with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.

  2. 2

    Cook the Haricots Verts

    Trim the ends of the haricots verts and blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cooled, chop them into small pieces.

  3. 3

    Prepare the Carrot Confit

    Peel and slice the carrots into thin rounds. In a small saucepan, combine the sliced carrots with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and a splash of water. Cook over low heat for about 15-20 minutes until tender.

  4. 4

    Prepare the Fresno Pepper

    Slice the Fresno pepper in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Thinly slice the pepper for pickling.

  5. 5

    Cook the Bacon

    In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble into small pieces.

  6. 6

    Combine the Stuffing

    In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, chopped haricots verts, carrot confit, Fresno pepper slices, crumbled bacon, and chopped fresh herbs. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well.

Quail Preparation

  1. 7

    Stuff the Quail

    Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Season the inside of each quail with salt and pepper. Stuff each quail with the prepared lentil mixture, packing it tightly. Secure the cavity with kitchen twine if necessary.

  2. 8

    Sear the Quail

    In an oven-safe skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed quail and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.

  3. 9

    Roast the Quail

    Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the quail for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

  4. 10

    Rest and Serve

    Remove the quail from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with any remaining crumbled bacon and herbs.

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