Twelfth Night Turkey With Wild Rice Stuffing And Ale Reduction Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN GRAIN STUFFING

Steps:

• Combine the wild rice, broth, 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer; cover and cook 20 minutes. Add the farro and cook, covered, 20 more minutes. Add the white rice and cook, covered, until all the grains are tender, another 10 to 20 minutes. Drain any excess liquid, then spread out the grains on a baking sheet and let cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F and butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, celery and carrots; season with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Add the thyme and cook for about 1 more minute.
• Combine the cooled grains, vegetable mixture, preserved lemon, olives and tomatoes in a large bowl. Transfer to the baking dish and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes, then uncover and bake until the stuffing is heated through and the top is lightly browned around the edges, 20 to 30 more minutes. Top with parsley or basil before serving.

HOLIDAY HENS WITH FIG GLAZE AND CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Begin by re-hydrating the figs. In a large mixing bowl add the figs, honey, lemon juice and cover with warm water. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 20 to 25 minutes until the figs are tender and soft. Strain the figs and reserve the liquid - as this will be the base for the glaze.
• To make the stuffing, heat a little extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat and gently saute the onions with rosemary. Add the sweet Italian sausage and continue to saute until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. When done, scrape it all into a large mixing bowl, add the cornbread pieces and figs and season well with salt and pepper. Give it a good toss until it's well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and stock, and pour that over the cornbread. Stir the stuffing together and set it aside while you work on the hens.
• Wash and clean the birds. Season the cavities with salt and pepper and fill with stuffing. Dot the top of each bird with butter and season with salt and pepper. Lay out on a roasting tray and pop into the oven for 40 to 45 minutes. While they are roasting, set the fig liquid over medium-high heat and add balsamic and butter. Reduce until syrupy and baste the birds with 10 minutes to go. When done, an instant-read thermometer should registers 160 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

HOG'S TROTTERS AND EARS

Steps:

• Place the pig's feet and ears into a large pot along with fennel, carrots, sage, tarragon, rosemary, onions, bay leaves, celery and lemons, and then cover ingredients with vegetable stock or water. Bring to a rolling boil and then immediately reduce the heat. Simmer for a minimum of 6 hours, testing for tenderness with a knife as you go. The ears will be cooked before the feet, so remove them sooner or add them to the pot later. When the flesh is tender, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest in the cooking liquid for 20 minutes.
• Serve the cooked trotters and ears with a ladle-full of broth from the pot and some crispy French bread.

WILD RICE STUFFING FOR TURKEY

Steps:

• Dissolve 3 cubes bouillon in 1 cup hot water. In a medium saucepan, combine wild rice with bouillon water, then fill with just enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix remaining 1 cube bouillon in 1 cup hot water. Heat butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in celery and green pepper; cook until tender. Mix in remaining bouillon water. Pour skillet contents into a large bowl. Stir together cooked rice, croutons, and poultry seasoning.
• Stuff turkey loosely, and cook turkey as directed. Or put stuffing into a well greased baking dish, cover, and bake 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F (165 degree C).