Quail Spiedini with Sage Polenta and Asiago

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup asiago freshly grated
• 2 ounces balsamic vinegar 
• 1 tablespoon pepper black
• 2 tablespoons honey 
• 4 pieces pancetta cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup polenta 
• 8  quail boneless
• 1 medium onion red cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 10  sage leaves chopped
• 2 ounces virgin olive oil 
• 4 cups water 
• 4  skewers 
• 4  skewers 

Equipment

• sauce pan
• oven
• mixing bowl
• wooden spoon
• grill
• skewers
• cutting board

Directions

1. Check quail for bones or feathers and place in mixing bowl.
2. Add pancetta, vinegar, olive oil, honey and black pepper and toss to coat. Set aside and preheat grill.
3. In a 3-quart saucepan, place onion, water and sage and bring to a boil. Thread one quail, followed by one piece of pancetta, followed by one quail on each of four skewers and place on hottest part of grill. Cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until just pink at the leg bones. Meanwhile, pour polenta slowly in a thin stream into boiling water, until all is incorporated and polenta thickens, about 1 to 2 minutes. Switch to a wooden spoon, add Asiago and cook another minute, until as thick as paste.
4. Remove from heat and pour on to a service-ready cutting board. Pile skewers on top of polenta and serve.