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Quesadillas with quail meat rests on a plate.
Jack Hennessy

Quail Quesadillas

5 from 1 vote
Born from his daughter's love of Taco Bell's chicken quesadilla, the author delivers an upland-inspired version of the meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 2128
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 4 whole quail roasted and hand-shredded
  • 8 oz Mexican cheese blend
  • 4 jalapenos seeded and finely diced
  • 1/2 red onion finely diced
  • fresh cilantro chopped
  • 4 10-inch tortillas
  • cooking spray
  • kosher salt
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • or favorite Mexican seasoning
Sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic granules
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 lime juiced

Method
 

  1. Either brine the quail or season with salt and pepper or favorite Mexican spice rub.
  2. Roast or grill the quail until fully cooked. Let rest for a few minutes then hand-shred the meat. Set aside.
  3. To make "fake" Taco Bell quesadilla sauce, mix all ingredients in a bowl and add the freshly squeezed lime juice at the end. Mix thoroughly and set in fridge until ready to serve.
  4. To make quesadillas, heat a cast-iron skillet to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread quesadilla sauce across all of one side of flour tortillas. Add the hand-shredded quail along with the finely diced red onion and jalapeño, followed by ample amounts of Mexican cheese and lastly freshly chopped cilantro. 
  5. Spray both sides of the quesadilla with cooking spray, then add to the skillet. Cook each side for approximately 2 minutes (until golden brown), careful not to burn.
  6. Pull after both sides are golden brown. Let rest for 1 minute before cutting into four slices. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 2128kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 159gFat: 152gSaturated Fat: 50gPolyunsaturated Fat: 32gMonounsaturated Fat: 58gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 653mgSodium: 1413mgPotassium: 1683mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2062IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 550mgIron: 9mg

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