Chestnut And Bay Leaf Gravy Food

TURKEY & CHESTNUT GRAVY

Steps:

• Once the turkey has cooked and is resting on a board, carefully pour the juices from the roasting tin into a large heatproof jug. Leave to settle, then pour all of the fat into a separate jug. Put 2 tbsp fat in a saucepan and carefully dispose of the rest. If you have lots of pan juices left after skimming the fat off, substitute this for some of the chicken stock. Alternatively, put the goose fat or butter in a saucepan.
• Put the saucepan with the fat in on the heat and add the giblets. Cook for 10 mins or until golden, then add the flour. Cook for 2-3 mins, then add the white wine and stir well. Pour in the chicken stock, then add the thyme and bay. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25-30 mins or until reduced by half, then stir in the chestnut purée.
• Strain the gravy into a jug, discard the herbs and giblets, season and serve with turkey.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH GARLIC MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/425°F.
• Cut each squash in half and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Score a criss cross pattern in each squash and place on a baking tray cut side up. Drizzle with the olive oil, dot with the butter and season if desired. Cook for 40 mins on top shelf.
• Place the mushrooms in an ovenproof dish with all the other ingredients and place of the shelf below the squash for its last 15 mins of cooking.
• Serve with Broccoli and roast new potatoes.

ROAST TURKEY WITH CHESTNUT STUFFING

Steps:

• Mix the chestnut puree with the veal demi-glace. When smooth season with salt and pepper and add the softened butter.
• Place 3 tablespoons clarified butter into a frying pan and add diced onion. Saute lightly. Cut bacon into fine strips and add to the onions. Fry together for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and place into a bowl with the chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper and add the ground pork. Combine ingredients with an egg and mix well.
• Place the onion into some of the clarified butter in a saucepan and allow to fry. Add the chopped turkey neck and brown. Add the water, bay leaves and thyme. Simmer the stock uncovered for 1 hour. After this time add 1/4 cup port and simmer for 5 minutes. To make the gravy, remove fat from baking pan and deglaze with the turkey stock. Serve gravy separately in a sauceboat.
• For the turkey: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Paint grill rack with clarified butter. Place the chestnut dressing in the neck opening, pressing it in firmly. Place the pork dressing in the rear end. Truss the turkey. Lightly flour breast. Place the turkey on its side on a grill rack in a baking dish and bake for l hour. Turn the turkey onto the other side and roast for 1 hour. Turn the bird breast side uppermost and paint with clarified butter and season with salt and white pepper. Roast for a further 2 1/2 hours basting every 30 minutes with clarified butter.
• Recommended drink: Good dry red wine, Claret style

CHESTNUT AND BAY LEAF GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat the oil and fry the carrot, celery, leek and half the onion over a low heat until soft.
• Add bay leaves, wine, herbs and stock. Bring to the boil and boil for 10 minutes.
• Strain gravy into a jug and discard the veg. Add soy and yeast extract (season with a good twist of black pepper if desired) and return to the pan.
• Add the chestnuts and remaining onion to the gravy and simmer for 10 minutes.