Fregolone Sardo, a semolina-based pasta from Sardinia, offers a modern twist to the typical pasta salad.
Ingredients
Anchovy dressing
Method
Main
1.Cook fregolone Sardo in boiling salted water for 12 minutes or until tender, drain, then refresh under cold running water, drain well and set aside.
2.For anchovy dressing, place anchovies and garlic in a mortar and, using a pestle, pound to a fine paste. Add lemon rind and juice and olive oil and stir to combine. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and set aside.
3. Combine fregolone Sardo, parsley, amaranth cress, shallot and capers in a bowl and toss lightly to combine. Set aside.
4.Heat oil in a frying pan over high heat, season quail generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, add to pan with butter and cook for 3 minutes on each side for medium rare or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a platter and drizzle pan juices over. Drizzle anchovy dressing over fregolone Sardo salad, toss gently to combine and serve immediately with quail.
Fregolone Sardo is available from Italian delicatessens. If unavailable, substitute with large couscous. Amaranth cress, also called pigweed, has a slight lemon-pepper flavour. It’s available from specialty growers, such as Darling Mills (02) 9655 1339 or select green grocers. If unavailable, substitute with other cress such as red chard or shiso. Jumbo quails are available from select butchers. Ask your butcher to butterfly them for you.
Drink Suggestion: Sardinian vermentino. Drink suggestion by Max Allen
Notes
