Oven Roasted Turkey Legs Wrapped In A Collard Green Leaf Recipes

OVEN ROASTED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• Place the salt and sugar into a large resealable bag. Pour in enough water to cover the turkey legs, and squeeze the bag to dissolve salt and sugar. Immerse the turkey legs in the brine, and seal the bag. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to brine.
• In a saucepan, stir together the white wine, pomegranate molasses, brown sugar, regular molasses, vinegar, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, and cook until reduced by half. Season with 1 tablespoon of sage and 1 tablespoon of thyme. Taste and adjust sugar, salt and pepper if desired.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Remove the turkey legs from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the brine. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Cast iron will work well. Fry the turkey, turning frequently, until browned on all sides. Place the pan with the turkey into the oven.
• Roast uncovered for 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove and turn legs over. Season with some of the remaining thyme and sage, and spoon some of the sauce onto the legs to coat. Return to the oven for an additional 30 minutes.
• Repeat the seasoning and baste with the sauce again, and return to the oven. Roast for 15 more minutes, then test for doneness. The internal temperature should be 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Serve turkey with remaining sauce on the side.

ROASTED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Rinse the turkey legs and pat dry.
• Stand the turkey legs upright (as if the turkey were standing). Press a knife downward into the deep tissue, creating 2 or 3 long pockets. Press a piece of celery into each opening. Pull back the skin on the legs, rub with butter, and season with a little salt. Put the skin back into place, rub with more butter, and season lightly with salt. Lay the legs in a roasting pan.
• Roast uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Add more water if needed while roasting, and baste occasionally with the juices or butter.

SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS WITH SMOKED TURKEY LEG AND ROASTED GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the garlic on a 6-by-6-inch piece of foil, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Wrap the garlic in the foil and roast until the garlic is softened and fragrant, about 45 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
• Add the butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted. Add the onions, season with salt and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the turkey leg and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the stock, add a few grinds black pepper and bring to a simmer, about 5 minutes.
• Once simmering, add the collard greens to the Dutch oven, stirring to rotate the greens from the bottom to the top. Add 2 cups of water, leaving the collards fully submerged. Cover and cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated and the turkey leg is tender, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Add water if needed to keep the collards simmering.
• Lower the heat, remove the turkey leg and set aside to cool slightly. Stir in the hot sauce and honey. Remove the garlic from the foil and squeeze the roasted garlic from the skins over the collards. Use a fork to shred the meat from the turkey leg; return the meat and skin to the collards. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the collards to a serving dish and serve immediately with your favorite hot sauce if desired.