Crispy Quail Egg Bites
These delectable Crispy Quail Egg Bites offer a gourmet twist on classic Scotch eggs, perfect for snacking or as an impressive appetizer. With tender quail eggs enveloped in a savory pork sausage mixture, these snacks are both rich in flavor and delightfully bite-sized. The combination of fennel seeds and fresh parsley adds an aromatic touch to the seasoned pork. The deep-fried exterior yields a satisfying crunch, while the soft-boiled center provides a creamy texture. Serve these bites alongside a zesty mustard dip for an unforgettable culinary experience that will elevate any gathering.
N/A
Servings
180
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fennel seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons (Toasted and ground)
Fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (Chopped)
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons (N/A)
Freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons (N/A)
Lean pork
1 lb (Ground or cubed)
Quail eggs
10 (Soft-boiled and peeled)
Egg
1 (Whisked (for egg wash))
Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (N/A)
Olive oil mayonnaise
1/2 cup (N/A)
Dijon mustard
1/4 cup (N/A)
Lemon juice
1 ounce (N/A)
Canola oil
4 ounces (For frying)
Instructions
1
Begin by toasting the fennel seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes until they turn a golden brown color. Remove from heat and let them cool, then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
2
In a small bowl, combine the ground fennel seeds with kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix well and set aside.
3
If you are using whole pork, trim any excess fat off the meat and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Combine your prepared spice blend with the pork in a mixing bowl. If grinding your own pork, place the cubed meat in the freezer along with the grinder components (excluding the motor) for 1 hour before grinding. Alternatively, refrigerate the seasoned pork until ready to use if you’ve purchased pre-ground pork.
4
In a large saucepan, place the quail eggs in cold water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then immediately remove it from heat, cover, and let it sit for 3 minutes for a soft center.
5
After 3 minutes, transfer the quail eggs to an ice water bath to halt the cooking process. Allow them to cool for an additional 5 minutes, which will help achieve a hard-boiled texture.
6
To peel the eggs, gently tap the bottom of each egg to crack the shell. Use a spoon to carefully peel the shell away while rotating the egg. Be cautious as quail eggs have delicate shells. Set the peeled eggs aside in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
7
If you’ve chosen to grind your own pork, take it out of the freezer and grind it finely. Once ground, divide the sausage mixture into 10 equal portions and flatten each into a disc shape in the palm of your hand.
8
Carefully place a quail egg at the center of each sausage disc and wrap the sausage around it, ensuring there are no openings and the egg is fully enclosed.
9
Prepare two bowls: one with whisked egg and another with the Italian breadcrumbs. Dip each sausage-wrapped egg into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, then roll it in the breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
10
Heat the canola oil in a deep fryer or a deep saucepan until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the breadcrumb-coated eggs to the hot oil, making sure they are not touching. Fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
11
While the eggs cool, blend the olive oil mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a small bowl to create a tangy dipping sauce. Serve the crispy quail egg bites warm, with mustard sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
6g
Carbs
12g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Quail Egg Bites?
They are a gourmet twist on classic Scotch eggs, consisting of soft-boiled quail eggs wrapped in a seasoned pork sausage mixture and deep-fried.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of lean pork, which can be ground or cubed.
How many quail eggs are required?
You will need 10 quail eggs for this recipe.
How do I prepare the fennel seeds?
Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until golden brown, then grind them into a fine powder.
How long should I boil the quail eggs for a soft center?
Bring the water to a rolling boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let the eggs sit for 3 minutes.
What is the purpose of the ice water bath?
The ice water bath halts the cooking process and helps the eggs reach the desired boiled texture while making them easier to handle.
What is the best way to peel quail eggs?
Gently tap the bottom to crack the shell and use a spoon to carefully peel it away while rotating the egg.
What herbs and spices season the pork?
The pork is seasoned with ground toasted fennel seeds, fresh chopped parsley, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper.
Why should I freeze the meat before grinding?
Freezing the cubed meat and grinder components for 1 hour helps achieve a better grind consistency and prevents the fat from melting.
How do I assemble the sausage-wrapped eggs?
Flatten a portion of the sausage mixture into a disc, place a quail egg in the center, and wrap the sausage around it to fully enclose the egg.
What is the breading process for the bites?
Dip each sausage-wrapped egg into a whisked egg wash and then roll it in Italian breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
What temperature should the oil be for frying?
The canola oil should be heated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the bites need to fry?
Fry the breadcrumb-coated eggs for about 3 minutes or until they are golden brown.
What ingredients are in the dipping sauce?
The sauce is made by blending olive oil mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 180 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 13g of fat.
How much protein is in the Crispy Quail Egg Bites?
The recipe provides 12g of protein per serving.
What type of breadcrumbs should I use?
The recipe specifically recommends 1/2 cup of Italian breadcrumbs.
Is this dish served warm or cold?
It is best served warm with the tangy mustard sauce on the side.
Can I use pre-ground pork?
Yes, you can use pre-ground pork; simply refrigerate the seasoned meat until you are ready to assemble the bites.
How much lemon juice is in the sauce?
The dipping sauce requires 1 ounce of lemon juice.
What kind of oil is used for frying?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of canola oil for deep frying.
How much fresh parsley is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.
What are the carbohydrate counts for this recipe?
There are 6g of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of mustard is used in the dip?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard.
Is this recipe considered a snack or an appetizer?
It is suitable for both, categorized as a snack and an impressive appetizer for gatherings.
How much fennel seed is required?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of fennel seeds.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 12 ingredients listed in total for both the egg bites and the sauce.
What should I do with the bites after frying?
Remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil.
Are these bites good for parties?
Yes, they are tagged as party food and finger food, perfect for elevating any gathering.