Stuffed Quail with Braised Red Cabbage and Puy Lentils

Instructions

1. Bone out the quail, keeping the legs intact (or buy pre-boned quail). Stuff the quail with a herb farce of your choice (garlic and thyme is a nice option), and re-shape the bird, holding it in place with a cocktail stick.
2. To cook the cabbage, place the cabbage, white wine vinegar, sugar, butter, apple, and sultans in a heavy based saucepan with the water and gently simmer until tender and all the liquid has evaporated. (If the cabbage is not soft & tender before all the liquid has evaporated add a little more water until it is sufficiently cooked.) Season to taste.
3. Prepare dressing: Take 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp cooked puy lentils, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp cooked wild mushrooms. Place all the ingredients in a bowl, stir and season.
4. When cabbage is cooked and dressing is made you are now ready to cook the quail. Heat a heavy based frying pan, add a little oil and butter and fry the quails until golden brown all over.
5. Put into preheated oven at 180°C for around 10 minutes, or until the quails are cooked. Remove from oven and leave to rest for 5 mins.
6. To serve, take a slice from the top of the quail. Put a tablespoon of red cabbage in the middle of the plate and place the quail carefully on top. Delicately spoon the dressing around the edge of the plate, and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.
   *Although it is possible to bone out your quails yourself, because it is so fiddly it is well worthwhile to buy pre-boned quails, which are easily available from good butchers.
   **Always soak your puy lentils for a few hours before cooking, to avoid them breaking up when you cook them.