Soy Sauce Marinade:
In a medium pot over low heat, combine all ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and reserve liquid on side.
Potato Puree:
In a small pot over low heat, add potatoes and water and cover. Cook potatoes until soft. Put the potatoes through a food mill and into a small pot. Add cream and butter and whisk until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
Quail:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small pot, bring soy sauce marinade to 150 degrees. Place 2 quails in the 150 degrees marinade and cook for 10 minutes. Remove quails from liquid and place on a roasting rack. Place quails in pre-heated oven for 2 minutes to crisp the skin. In a small sauté pan, bring 4 tablespoons of marinade to a boil. Place quails in pan and glaze the marinade over quails.
Recipe by Thomas Chen, Tuome, New York City, NY