Turkey Legs with Onion Redcurrant Jus & Mashed Potatoes
If you’re looking for an easy recipe for Thanksgiving, this is it! It’s not only easy but so delicious. Redcurrant jelly in the jus gives hints of traditional cranberry sauce. And once you make these Mashed Potatoes, it will be the only way you do them—they’re so rich, creamy and smooth! Terranoble Casablanca Valley Vegan Pinot Noir Reserva Calliope Figure 8 White make for excellent drink pairings with this dish.Ingredients
Serves 4
4 bone-in, skin-on turkey legs
½ lb (225 g) chicken wings
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
1 large carrot, cut into 2-in (5 cm) chunks
1 stalk celery, cut into 2-in (5 cm) chunks
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
1 sprig fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
¼ cup (60 ml) St. Rémy VSOP Brandy
2 cups (500 ml) turkey or chicken stock
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter, divided
1 cup (250 ml) pearl onions, blanched and peeled
1 tbsp (15 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (125 ml) redcurrant jelly
Mashed Potatoes, to serve, recipe follows
MASHED POTATOES
4 large yellow potatoes, scrubbed
¾ cup (180 ml) whipping cream
¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 sprigs fresh thyme
4 black peppercorns
1 dried bay leaf
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 F (135 C).
- Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed, ovenproof saucepan over medium-high heat. Season turkey legs and chicken wings with salt and pepper. Add vegetable oil to pan and, working in batches, sear turkey legs and chicken wings until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Set meat aside.
- Add carrots, celery, onions and garlic to pan and sauté over medium heat until soft and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add bay leaves, rosemary, thyme and tomato paste. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Deglaze pan with brandy, then add stock.
- Place turkey legs in a single layer in pan. If pan is not large enough, use a baking dish large enough to fit legs. Tuck in chicken wings between legs. There should be about 1-in (2.5 cm) of meat sticking out of liquid. Use water if more liquid is needed. Bring to a simmer, then place in oven for 2 to 2½ hours, or until turkey is tender.
- Remove turkey legs from braising liquid and set aside (chicken wings can be discarded at this point). Strain braising liquid into a large bowl or measuring cup and let sit for 15 minutes, or until fat has separated. Remove fat from liquid, reserving fat. Pour liquid back into pan used for braising turkey, bring to a boil over medium-high heat and reduce volume to 2 cups (500 ml).
- In a small frying pan over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter, then add pearl onions and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove onions from pan and keep warm.
- Return frying pan to medium heat and add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter and reserved turkey fat. Whisk in flour until combined. Remove from heat, add a quarter of braising liquid and whisk until smooth. Place this mixture into saucepan with remaining braising liquid and whisk until smooth. Mix in redcurrant jelly and adjust seasoning.
- Return turkey legs and onions to saucepan and bring to a simmer until turkey is hot. Serve over Mashed Potatoes.
- MASHED POTATOES
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Prick potatoes all over with a fork, then place on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until very soft all the way through (time depends on size of potatoes).
- While potatoes are baking, put remaining ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit to infuse.
- Cut potatoes in half, scoop out insides and push through a ricer or mash with a potato masher. For extra-smooth potatoes, push riced or mashed potatoes through a fine-mesh strainer. Strain infused cream into potatoes, discarding garlic and herbs. Mix until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.