Turkey Legs

[Simple-BBQ]

I did a cranberry juice brine for my xmas turkey last year and it did turn out lovely, the legs were a waste of space though, I've never liked turkey legs - they seem so sinewy and horrible. They just ended up in stock so this year I'll probably just go with a crown.

The problem with the legs is that very few places pull the leg sinews anymore. A good old fashioned butcher will have a turkey hook, a V shaped wall mounted hook, to do this. We have had Kelly Bronze the last 2 years and the legs have been properly pulled and succulent.

Keith, is there a way to improvise the hook? A pheasant leg can be broken at the bottom of the drumstick, just below the feather line and the sinews pulls out with firm but even pressure. Is there a similar technique for turkey? Or a variation on the butcher's hook?

[JEC]

Not tried this myself so I can't vouch for it, it's taken from here

http://www.rivercottage.net/forum/ask/p ... technical/

Pulling sinews: make a scoring cut at the back of the leg between the foot and the ankle joint. Break the leg bone there and you will have a floppy foot attached by sinews. Bang a big nail into a strong piece of wood above head height. Hold the turkey's leg over the nail with one hand holding the foot and the other the thigh. Lift your feet off the ground and pull like mad. Oh and as the sinews come out put your feet back on the ground to avoid landing in a heep. It's hard on the tummy muscles after a while.

In my opinion, one of the most useful bits of kit dealing with all poultry is a sinew puller - Poultryman in Shepton Mallet sell them.

If you like Turkey legs a lot, and I mean a lot you can buy one of these, my local butcher has one, yours for £150

http://www.poultryman.co.uk/Sinew_Pulle ... 26882.aspx

My advice buy your Dino legs from your local butcher and make sure they pull the sinew for you

[Simple-BBQ]

I'm looking for a butcher with a six pack then..

That's a similar technique to the pheasant but i guess they are of a small build and more easily "pulled" apart. Turkey certainly would be more robust as I think on it. Thanks for the added info JEC.

[aris]

Pit boys to the rescue

http://youtu.be/nJdyMaNhHVY