Honey-Glazed Quail with Waldorf Salad

**1. Prepare the Marinade:** In a bowl, combine 50ml balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons clear honey, and 2 sprigs of fresh thyme. Mix well.

**2. Marinate the Quail:** Place the whole quail into the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.

**3. Preheat the Oven:** Set your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C/gas mark 6).

**4. Sear the Quail:** Heat a griddle pan over medium heat. Remove the quail from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Sear the quail for about 5 minutes on each side until they develop a nice char.

**5. Roast the Quail:** Transfer the seared quail to a roasting tin and place them in the preheated oven. Roast for an additional 5 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.

**6. Rest and Glaze:** Remove the quail from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Brush the remaining marinade over the quail to create a glossy glaze.

**7. Prepare the Salad:** While the quail is resting, separate the leaves of 1 head of baby gem lettuce and arrange them in serving bowls or plates.

**8. Assemble the Salad:** Thinly slice 1 medium apple and dice 1 celery stick. In a bowl, combine the apple slices, diced celery, 2 tablespoons of toasted walnuts, and 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped chives. Toss gently to mix.

**9. Dress the Salad:** Add 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise to the salad mixture and toss until evenly coated.

**10. Serve:** Place the glazed quail on each plate alongside the Waldorf salad. Garnish with additional chives if desired and serve immediately.

**Tips:**

- Ensure the quail is not overcooked to maintain its tenderness.

- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt in the salad.

- If quail is unavailable, chicken thighs can be used as an alternative.

- Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor; do this in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant.

**Tags:**

Honey-Glazed Quail, Waldorf Salad, British Cuisine, Elegant Dinner

**Calories per Serving:**

Approximately 295 kcal per serving.