Bite and Booze by Jay D. Ducote

Monday, April 16, 2012

Grilled Rosemary Quail with Team Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub

Our latest Virtual Potluck adventure has taken the group into the world of gourmet seasonings from the Savory Spice Shop.  Each VP blogger got a different category of spices to deal with.  I chose the chicken and seafood grouping since I knew I'd be grilling something in that category sometime soon.  Still, I didn't want to be too obvious.  Chicken on the grill just wouldn't do.  I thought about perhaps some Louisiana seafood, but nothing quite struck my fancy right away.  Then I had my ah-ha moment.  Savory Spice sent me some seasoning called "Team Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub."  However, I wouldn't use chicken for this cook out.  Instead, I decided to grill one of my favorite, most nostalgic game birds: quail!




The quail, which I picked up at Calandro's Supermarket here in Baton Rouge, got a special brine of their own.  They marinated in a mix of apple juice and apple cider vinegar with some onion and spices for a few hours.  I then stuffed each quail with a skewer of fresh rosemary from my Harb's Oasis herb garden.  The outside of each bird got generously sprinkled with the Savory Spice Shop's Team Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub.  The quail were then grilled over some charcoal and apple chips to provide a little sweet smoke.  The succulent birds had a wonderful flavor throughout.  They took on the characteristics of the apple and rosemary very well.  But the real secret had to have been the rub.  The delightful blend of seasonings created a crust on the outside of the quail that had just the right amount of sweet and heat!  I might have to try to cook some more quail soon.  If anybody would like to take me quail hunting, just let me know!!


Brine:
1 Quart Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Pint Apple Juice
1 Yellow Onion, Coarsely Chopped
2 Tablespoons Savory's BBQ Rub
2 Tablespoons Crushed Red Pepper

Reserve a cup of the brine for basting before soaking the quail in the remainder.


The Rest:
A Dozen Quail (or however many you want to cook!)
3-4 Inch Sprig of Rosemary for each Quail
1/2 Cup Savory Spice Shop's Team Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub


Grilled Rosemary Quail with Team Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub
Savory Spice Giveaway:

Savory Spice Shop on Facebook

Twitter: @SavorySpiceShop  

Go to the Savory Spice Shop Facebook page, click the Virtual Potluck link, and choose a spice from my section.  Then come back here and tell me which spice or blend you'd like to try the most!  I'll select one winner on Friday, April 20, 2012 to get some free spices from our friends at the Savory Spice Shop!

20 comments:

  1. These quail look insane Jay. I'm a huge fan of quail. Yum!! Wish I lived next door to you.

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  2. Your recipe for quail sounds really good!
    I'd like to try their Coastal Bay Seasoning: I love a good shrimp boil!

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  3. I would definitely love to try the Cajun style blackening spice on a catfish filet. My husband is French and loves Cajun cooking!

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  4. I like the sweet mama bbq chicken rub.
    ufg8trj@yahoo.com

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  5. Haven't had quail in ages. Great idea!

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  6. I haven't had quail in ages either! Looks like you have enough to share! What time is dinner? YUM!

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  7. The quail sound fantastic! We serve quail a few times a year for dinner guests, and will definitely try your technique. In addition to the rub mentioned above, the spice I would like to try from your list on Virtual Potluck is: BlackRiverCreoleSeasoning

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  8. sweet mama bbq chicken rub sounds good

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  9. Grilling the Quail is a great idea. haven't had any in a long time, think I need to add it to my grocery list!

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  10. I'm not on FB so I can't load their page but I bet Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub with the apple cider vinegar and juice and Red Pepper makes a screamingly good marinade. I'd actually like to try the Rub in a chili recipe I've got that calls for using a BBQ rub and it always turns out excellent.
    I checked out their site and the Kansas City Style Rub looks like another winner. Thanks for the link!

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  11. I think the Sweet Mama's BBQ chicken rub is what I would like to try too. Kansas City style looks good too.

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  12. The Rouse's over here in New Orleans has Quail. Looks like I'll be picking some up this weekend, and putting some of that BBQ Chicken rub to good use.

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  13. I checked your section. I would be interested in the Hidden Cove Lemon Garlic Blend. I'd like to roast chicken with this spice blend. I'm unhappy to say that I have never tried quail. I've had duck and cornish game hens. Your grilling description sounded really good.

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  14. I like Savory Spice Shop on facebook

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  15. I follow @SavorySpiceShop

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  16. Ooh - I want some Cajun Style Blackening Seasoning from your list!

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  17. Your birds look over the top, great job. I would like to Try the Lake Barkley Fried Chicken Seasoning, that blend sounds pleasing to my palate!
    jlammers002@woh.rr.com

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  18. The Team Sweet Mama's BBQ Chicken Rub looks amazing!
    klconn7 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  19. I like the Cajun spice, especially on fish.
    cbstrat (at) gmail (dot) com

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  20. I would like to try Hidden Cove Lemon Garlic Blend. Lemon and garlic are two of my favorite flavors and they are great together. This sounds delish!

    randcbruns AT kci DOT net

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