3120. CRISPY BACON and HASH BROWN QUESADILLAS with FRIED QUAIL EGGS

yields eight servings


Crispy Bacon 
8 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut into lardons and cooked until golden brown

Hash Browns 
2 large Idaho potatoes, scrubbed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil, divided
2 large Spanish onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 poblano chile, finely diced
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Tomato Relish 
2 ripe beefsteak tomatoes or 4 ripe plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, finely diced
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Quesadilla
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
2 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons ancho chile powder

Fried Quail Eggs 
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 quail eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

Special equipment: Ramekins 

For the hash browns: Place potatoes in a medium pot of cold, salted water, bring to a boil and cook until fully cooked about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly, and grate on a grater using the large holes. Heat 2 tablespoons oil or remaining bacon fat, in a large saute pan over medium heat and add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick saute pan over high heat, add the potatoes and cook until golden brown. Stir in the onions, poblano chile, ancho chile powder, paprika, and salt and pepper and cook until just warmed through.

For the tomato relish: Combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper in a bowl and let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.

For the quesadillas: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place 4 tortillas on a work surface and top with cheese, hash browns, and bacon. Cover with 4 more tortillas to make 4 2-layer quesadillas. Brush the tops with oil and sprinkle with the ancho powder. Transfer the quesadillas to a large baking sheet and bake in the oven until golden brown and cheese has melted, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cut each quesadilla into quarters.

For the quail eggs: Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium nonstick saute pan until it begins to shimmer. Crack each egg into a ramekin and carefully slide into the pan (cook 4 at a time). Season with salt and pepper and cook until the white has set and the yolk is slightly firm, carefully flip over and continue cooking for another minute.

Assembly: Top each quesadilla quarter with a fried quail egg and a few heaping tablespoons tomato relish and garnish with chopped chives. Arrange on a platter.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bobby Flay, "Bite Size Brunch," Brunch at Bobby's, Cooking Channel TV