TV, More Snow, Dogs,

Well, got rid of the old TV and have arranged our lives differently to be here when the new TV arrives on Tuesday, I just hope it does arrive Tuesday. Fingers crossed please. Cost us $84.75 which, considering the prices I had heard, wasn't too bad. It was a company called Junk Works and when I spoke to them, the guy on the other end of the phone was in San Francisco although they have local offices. However, they were pretty prompt. Matt was horrified, but nowhere else I tried for help could do so. Community Support said they couldn't ask their drivers to lift heavy stuff. Actually, when the Junk people came, there were 3, two younger, one of whom just picked up our old, heavy, TV and walked out with it, easy as pie. This is basically what it looked like.

It has been snowing all day so maybe it's just as well we aren't going out tomorrow. Have moved the birthday lunch to Wednesday and the cannabis, who knows, not heard back from them. Still snowing and now it is almost 11 p.m.

I mentioned a dog yesterday, we brought one German Shepherd with us to Canada, she was young enough and fit enough to fly. Her name was Brandy and she absolutely adored the snow. This is her, playing in someone's pond with one of our other GSD's visible in the background, we had 3 of them at one time. They were definitely not supposed to be in that pond. We were visiting the owners and didn't realise there was one. They also had horses and the male dog decided to chase them, the horses decided to return the compliment so he jumped back into the garden. I was going spare. I used to take them to training school with my previous hubby. Worked well obviously!!! Later, in Canada, we obtained a mutt from a colleague of Matt's. She was a marvellous dog - part husky, part collie and a dash of GSD we think. She was a real ball of fluff when we went to choose one of the puppies, and scrambled over them all to get to us, so obviously we picked her. Sadly she was a very fit 13 1/2 yrs old when she got a twisted gut somehow, vet said he couldn't operate on a dog that old, so that was it. We decided we wouldn't have another. I do miss having a dog though except, these days, we couldn't walk one. I'd have a cat but Matt isn't too keen on them.

I have mentioned before how much I like the dark meat on poultry, this is another recipe for turkey legs which I thought sounded delicious. Gotta get me some turkey legs now.

Turkey Legs with Cider and Apples

This dish tastes like the holidays. The chili balances the sweetness of the sauce, but it can be omitted. Turkey legs braise very well and become tasty and rich. Always pat turkey dry before searing to ensure it browns well. Turkey legs come in different weights. Smaller ones will cook in 15 to 30

minutes’ less time. Serve with roasted parsnips, Brussels sprouts and buttermilk mashed potatoes. Leftover turkey makes a sensational turkey potpie. Just thicken the sauce and add any leftover cooked vegetables, cover with a puff pastry crust and bake at 350°F (180°C) until pastry is crisp and golden.

2 large turkey legs, about 6 lbs (2.7 kg), split into thighs and drumsticks
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 Tbs (45 mL) olive oil
½ cup (125 mL) chopped pancetta
3 pork or chicken sausages, sliced 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick
3 tart green apples such as Spy or Granny Smith, peeled, cored and cut in wedges, about 5 cups (1.25 L)
2 cups (500 mL) chopped onions
2 cups (500 mL) chopped celery
1 Tbs (15 mL) chopped garlic
2 cups (500 mL) chicken stock
1 cup (250 mL) hard apple cider
1 Tbs (15 mL) cider vinegar
2 tsp (10 mL) chopped fresh thyme
1 dried chili
6 fresh sage leaves
GARNISH
12 fresh sage leaves

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).

2. Season turkey legs with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp (30 mL) of oil in large ovenproof pot or in a skillet. Working in batches, add turkey pieces and brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.

3. Add pancetta and sauté until beginning to crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in sausages and apples. Saute for 2 minutes or until sausage browns slightly. Remove sausages and apples to a bowl. Add onions and celery and sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.

4. Stir in stock, hard cider, cider vinegar, thyme, dried chili and 6 sage leaves. Bring to a boil. Return turkey legs to liquid. Cover and bake for 1 hour. Stir in apple wedges and sausage. Bake, covered, for 30 more minutes.

5. Increase heat to 350°F (180°C). Remove cover and bake another 30 minutes or until flavours are combined and legs are very tender.

6. Heat remaining 1 tbsp (15 mL) of oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add sage leaves and fry until crisp and slightly curled, about 1 minute. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate.

7. Carve meat from thighs and drumsticks and serve a portion of each per serving with sauce. Garnish with fried sage leaves.

Yield: 4 to 6

Source: LCBO

Have a great day