Quail in Claret

Ingredients

• 2 quail, thoroughly cleaned and split lengthwise
• 1 ounce brandy
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/2 cup consommé or chicken stock
• 1/2 cup claret or red Bordeaux wine
• Pinch of celery salt
• Freshly-ground pepper
• Juice of 1 orange, strained

Instructions

1. Rub quail with a cloth soaked in brandy and dust with flour.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet and let it brown.
3. Add quail and cover, allowing it to cook for 5 minutes on each side.
4. In a saucepan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. When hot, add mushrooms and sauté until tender.
5. To quail, add mushrooms, consommé, claret, celery salt and pepper. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes, until quail is tender.
6. A minute or two before serving, add orange juice.