Bob-white Quail & Pasta

This is not a pizza!

This is a very simple but delicious recipe that was prepared by my friend Daniel Rodrigues from Caxias do Sul - Brasil - on Sunday, January 27, after I brought a nice bunch of Bob-white quail following a hunt at Bruce, Steve and Mike at Pine Wing Preserve (www.pinewingpreserve.org) in Wetumpka, Alabama.

I will tell about the hunting at a later time, but I would like to share the recipe that feeds ten very hungry people right now!

Ingredients

20 Bob-white quail

2.5 packs of Barilla spaghetti (1 1/4 Kg)

300 grams Bacon

5 cloves of garlic

1large onion

12 sage leaves

1 sprig basil

Olive oil

Salt

Black pepper (if you like it, I don't)

Cabernet wine

Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Marinate the quail in the wine, salt, pepper and sage

Cut the bacon in small cubes, fry it and set aside

Fry the onion & garlic and set aside

Seal the quail by frying it in olive oil. After this add the marinade, bacon, onion & garlic and let cook until tender

After the quail is ready, cook the pasta as directed in the pack

Add the pasta to the quail and before serving add the basil and some of the cheese

Serve immediately

In the photo above, we served the quail & pasta in the crust of a RAR Gran Formaggio Parmesan wheel that we rescued after a very special celebration. It adds a lot to the presentation, taste and ambiance. We did not have any RAR wine left, and had to make do with other drinks.

Enjoy it!