Quail sang choy bao

Ingredients

• 1–2 heads iceberg lettuce
• 4 x 160 g quails
• 1½ tbsp peanut oil
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 50 g finely chopped onion
• 1½ Chinese sausages, finely chopped
• 3 medium Chinese dried mushrooms, soaked for 45 minutes, rinsed, finely chopped
• 50 g finely chopped bamboo shoots
• 50 g finely chopped water chestnuts
• coriander, to serve

Marinade

•  ½ tbsp Shao Hsing wine
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp oyster sauce

Seasoning

• ½ tsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tbsp potato flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2½ tbsp water

Instructions

Choose only the well-shaped inner leaves of the lettuce, discarding the loose outer leaves. Wash well under cold running water. Dry well and neatly trim the edges of each leaf. Place in the refrigerator for several hours to crisp.

Using a sharp knife, debone the quails and finely chop the filleted meat. Gently mix in the marinade. Mix seasoning in a small bowl.

Heat peanut oil in a pre-heated wok until the oil just begins to smoke a little. Stir-fry the quail meat and Chinese sausage quickly until both begin to brown.

Add the remaining ingredients to the quail and toss together for 1–2 minutes to combine the flavours well. Add the seasoning, combining for a few seconds. Transfer to a shallow dish garnished with fresh coriander sprigs.

The minced quail is spooned by the individual diner into a crisp lettuce cup, wrapped up like a parcel and eaten with the fingers.