Ideas for Christmas. Part 1. Turkey leg in crust
This crusted turkey recipe also called “Wellington” is the ideal alternative to the usual Christmas roast. The wrapping of puff pastry is usual in Christmas recipes; symbolizes the swaddling clothes of the infant Jesus. In fact, it is very often used to prepare them right in the Christmas period.
Ingredients (for 2 persons):
1 turkey leg ~ boneless~ (800 gr) – 60 ml extra virgin olive oil – 300 ml white wine – 2 cloves of garlic – 2- 3 sage leaves – Salt 2 pinches
2 rolls of puff pastry
1 yolk + 2 tablespoons of milk
Method: Preheat the oven 180°C / 392° F
1. In a pan or in a large pot, heat the oil, add the garlic and the sage leaves.
2. Add the turkey leg. Brown it evenly on both sides for 10 min
3. Add the white wine and the salt.
Cover with a lid. Cook over low heat for 45 min
4. Check the cooking with a long skewer stick. When the turkey is ready, a clear/ transparent and diaphanous liquid will come out. (Pink liquid means it’s still raw in depth)
When it’s ready, remove it from the heat, let it cool completely and dry the meat well with kitchen paper
5. Coat the turkey (cold and dried) with the whole pastry
6. Pierce with a fork on both sides to prevent the pastry from swelling during cooking
7. Cut the second sheet into strips and form the classic grid for tarts. (Photo gallery below)
8. Coat the turkey with the pastry grid, sealing the edges tightly at the back side of the leg.
9. Brush the pastry with 1 beaten egg yolk together with 2 tablespoons of milk 10.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200 ° C for 20 – 25 min until the pastry is golden. Serve with roasted baby potatoes.
Recommended wine: In general, a medium-bodied red wine is the pergect choice, especially if you space between Barbera and Merlot, two different worlds but both perfectly matched to baked turkey.
Enogastronomista 