Mean Chefs Turkey Gravy Food

CHEF JOHN'S ROAST TURKEY AND GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix 2 tablespoons salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper, and poultry seasoning in a small bowl. Tuck turkey wings under the bird, and season cavity with about 1 tablespoon of the poultry seasoning mixture. Reserve remaining poultry seasoning mix.
• Toss the onion, celery, and carrots together in a bowl. Stuff about 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture, rosemary sprigs, and 1/2 bunch sage into the cavity of the turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Loosen the skin on top of the turkey breast using fingers or a small spatula. Place about 2 tablespoons butter under the skin and spread evenly. Spread the remaining butter (about 2 tablespoons) all over the outside of the skin. Sprinkle the outside of the turkey with the remaining poultry seasoning mix.
• Spread the remaining onion, celery, and carrots into a large roasting pan. Place the turkey on top of the vegetables. Fill the pan with about 1/2 inch of water. Arrange a sheet of aluminum foil over the breast of the turkey.
• Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). Remove the foil during the last hour of cooking. Baste the turkey with the pan juices.
• While the turkey is roasting, make stock: place neck, heart, and gizzards in a saucepan with the bay leaf and water. Simmer over medium heat for 2 hours. Strain the turkey giblets from the stock, and discard giblets. There should be at least 4 cups of stock.
• Remove the turkey from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Pour the pan juices, about 3 cups, into a saucepan and set aside. Skim off the turkey fat from the pan juices, reserving about 2 tablespoons.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the turkey fat and 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Transfer the onion from the roasting pan into the skillet. Cook and stir until the onion is browned, about 5 minutes, then stir in the flour. Continue to cook and stir for about 5 minutes more; whisk in 4 cups of the skimmed turkey stock and the reserved pan juices until smooth; skim off any foam. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Simmer until the gravy is thickened, whisking constantly, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped sage, and season to taste with salt and black pepper.

CHEF JOHN'S MAKE-AHEAD TURKEY GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Combine onion, carrots, celery, and vegetable oil in a large roasting pan and toss to coat. Place turkey wings on top of vegetables
• Place roasting pan in the preheated oven and cook until the turkey wings are browned and vegetables are caramelized and softened, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Transfer turkey wings and vegetables to a large stockpot. Place the roasting pan over a stovetop burner on medium heat. Pour 2 tablespoons cold water into the pan and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer mixture to the stockpot and add 10 cups cold water, thyme, and garlic.
• Bring turkey wing mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until meat falls off the bone, about 3 hours. Skim off turkey fat throughout the process and set aside 2 tablespoons.
• Strain turkey stock and reserve 6 cups of stock; discard all the solids.
• Heat butter and 2 tablespoons reserved turkey fat in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and cook, whisking continuously, until it begins to smell like cooked pie crust, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly pour in turkey stock, whisking continuously. Increase heat to high and simmer until thick and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.

MEAN CHEF'S MAPLE BRINE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in large stainless steel pot.
• Bring to simmer, remove from heat and cool completely Remove turkey neck and giblets.
• Rinse turkey well.
• Put turkey in cold brine.
• Use a stainless, plastic or other non-reactive container.
• Add water if brine doesn't cover bird.
• Refrigerate 2- 4 days, turning bird twice a day.
• To cook: remove turkey from brine, pat dry, brush with olive oil.
• Either grill or cook in oven.
• It is also advantageous to leave the dry turkey in the refrigerator for at least 4 hour or overnight, uncovered.
• This completely dries out the skin to insure a crisp finish.
• DO NOT stuff turkey.

MEAN CHEF'S BAKED PRAWNS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Gently saute onion in oil until transparent.
• Add scallions and garlic, cook 2 minute.
• longer.
• Add tomatoes, wine, most of the parsley, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and simmer gently for 30 minute.
• ,until thick.
• Spoon half of the tomato sauce into 6 individual oven dishes or 1 large oven dish.
• Add shrimp, and spoon remaining sauce on top.
• Crumble feta cheese and sprinkle on top.
• Heat oven to 500°F.
• Cook 10-12 minutes, until shrimp are pink and feta melted and lightly browned.
• Sprinkle with remaining parsley, and serve.

MEAN CHEF'S SAUTEED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat.
• Add the mushrooms.
• Do not move the mushrooms until they have caramelized on the bottom.
• If you toss them too soon, they will release their liquid and begin to steam.
• When the bottoms are caramelized, toss them and continue to cook for about 5 minutes.
• Add the butter and continue to cook and toss for 5 minutes, until beautifully browned.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the garlic.
• Saute another 2 minutes, and add the thyme and lemon juice.
• Cook to evaporate the liquid.
• Add the wine and reduce until the mushrooms are glazed with the sauce.
• Toss in the parsley and serve immediately.

MEAN CHEF'S MUSHROOM GRAVY

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the mushrooms and sauté until brown, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the flour; it will become very pasty.
• Cook this roux for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• It will stick to the bottom of the pan a little bit; that's okay.
• 2.
• Stir in the stock, wine, soy sauce, and pepper, and bring to a boil.
• Cook the sauce at a lively simmer for 5 minutes, stirring almost constantly and scraping any crusty bits that adhere to the bottom of the pan.
• Serve in a sauceboat.

MEAN CHEF'S MEXICAN CREMA

Steps:

• Whisk the cream and the buttermilk together in a bowl.
• Cover and set in a warm place (a gas oven with just the heat from the pilot light is fine) overnight.
• Refrigerate for overnight.
• Crema may be kept in the refrigerator for as long as a week.