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+ servings
A plate of fried quail tossed in a red sauce and topped with sesame seeds
Adam Berkelmans

Korean Fried Quail with Cucumber Pickles

Crispy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying fried quail
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 5
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Korean
Calories: 542

Ingredients
  

For the sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the pickles
  • 1 English cucumber sliced thin
  • ½ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1 tbsp coarse gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
For the quail
  • 6 whole quail plucked
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp ginger powder
  • Oil or lard for frying
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Method
 

  1. Mix sauce ingredients, add to pot over medium heat, simmer for 3 minutes, then take off heat. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cucumbers with the rest of the pickle ingredients and let marinate while you cook the quail.
  3. Take each bird and, using kitchen shears or a hardy knife, cut down the entire spine and open the back up in order to butterfly the quail.
  4. Heat several inches of oil in a deep skillet to 350°F.
  5. Mix the cornstarch, pepper, salt, and ginger powder together in a bowl. Toss the quail in the rice wine vinegar, then toss them in the spice mixture so they are fully coated.
  6. Add 1-3 quail to the hot oil at a time, ensuring there is no crowding. Cook for about 3 minutes per side (or until cooked through), then transfer to a plate or rack lined with paper towel.
  7. Once quail are done, refry them for another 30-45 seconds per side.
  8. Toss them in the sauce you made earlier and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately with the cucumbers and rice if you desire. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 542kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 27gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 1726mgPotassium: 449mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 424IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 6mg

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