Quail with Marsala Sauce

Preparation

1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp; crumble the bacon and set aside. Drain all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the pan. Rub the quail with salt and pepper, and brown them on all sides in the skillet over medium-high heat. Place the quail in a single layer in a 13 × 9-inch casserole. Add the oil and butter to the pan. Over medium heat, add the mushrooms, shallots, and garlic; sauté until the mushrooms begin to release their liquid. Remove the mushrooms from the pan with a slotted spoon and put them in the casserole. Stir the flour into the hot fat in the pan and cook, stirring until the roux begins to bubble and brown (take care not to burn it). Add the broth and Marsala; when the mixture begins to thicken, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the sour cream. Pour the sauce over the quail and mushrooms. Bake in a 350-degree oven until the sauce is bubbly and quail has cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Combine the white rice and wild rice in a bowl and keep warm. Serve the quail on a bed of rice with the Marsala sauce and mushrooms spooned on top.