Perfect Citrus Turkey And Gravy Food

PERFECT TURKEY GRAVY

Steps:

• 1. Mix Gravy Mix and flour in large saucepan. Gradually stir in water and turkey drippings with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in chopped turkey giblets, if desired.
• 2. Stirring frequently, cook on medium-high heat until gravy comes to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. (Gravy will continue to thicken upon standing.)
• Sage & Citrus Perfect Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups. Stir 1 tablespoon orange or lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Rubbed Sage into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Roasted Cinnamon and Bacon Turkey Gravy: Cook 4 slices bacon in large saucepan until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon. Set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in saucepan. Add 1/4 cup chopped onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Mix 2 packages McCormick® Turkey Gravy Mix, 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Roasted Saigon Cinnamon, 2 cups cold water and 1 cup turkey drippings. Add to saucepan; mix well. Continue with Step 2 as directed above. Stir in bacon. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Herbed Perfect Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed. Stir 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Rubbed Sage or 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Poultry Seasoning into Gravy Mix. Makes 15 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Hearty Sage Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups. Stir 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Rubbed Sage into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Hearty Herbed Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups. Stir 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Poultry Seasoning into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Apple-Sage Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 1 cup and adding 1 cup apple juice. Stir 1 teaspoon McCormick® Rubbed Sage into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Garlic and White Wine Turkey Gravy: Prepare as directed, decreasing water to 2 cups and adding 1/4 cup white wine. Stir 1/4 teaspoon each McCormick® California Style Garlic Powder with Parsley and McCormick® Thyme Leaves into Gravy Mix. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Mushroom-Onion Turkey Gravy: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and 1/4 cup chopped onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Mix 2 packages McCormick(R) Turkey Gravy Mix, 1 1/2 cups cold water and 1 cup turkey drippings. Add to saucepan; mix well. Continue with Step 2 as directed above. Makes 8 (1/4-cup) servings.
• Cinnamon-Chipotle Turkey Gravy: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add 1/4 cup chopped red onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Mix 2 packages McCormick® Turkey Gravy Mix, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon each McCormick® Ground Cinnamon and McCormick® Gourmet Collection Chipotle Chile Pepper, 2 cups cold water and 1 cup turkey drippings. Add to saucepan; mix well. Continue with Step 2 as directed above. Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

CITRUS-HERB TURKEY & GRAVY

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, celery seed, and coriander. Remove the neck, tail, and giblets from the turkey and reserve for the broth. Remove any plastic parts such as pop-up timers and leg ties. Pat dry with paper towels, and place breast side up on a wire rack in a large flameproof roasting pan.
• Using your fingers, gently separate the skin from the meat, taking care not to tear the skin. Spread half of the salt rub under the skin, massaging it directly onto the meat. Massage the remaining rub all over the skin and in the cavity.
• Refrigerate uncovered for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the turkey neck, tail, giblets (excluding the liver), and onion with the oil and arrange in a single layer. Roast, flipping once, until well browned, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a heavy-duty 3- to 4-quart pot. Pour 1 cup of the chicken broth onto the hot baking sheet and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spatula; transfer to the pot. Add the remaining broth and bring to a boil; lower the heat and simmer until reduced by half, about 45 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; discard the solids. You should have about 2 cups.
• In a small bowl, with a fork, mash the butter with the garlic, citrus zests, rosemary, and sage until thoroughly incorporated.
• Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the butter. Rub the rest under the skin of the breast and thighs. Tuck the wings behind the neck and tie the legs together with twine.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350°F.
• Roast the turkey uncovered, basting every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh registers 170°F, about 2 hours. (If the breast becomes too dark, cover with foil.) Remove from the oven, transfer to a carving board, and tent with foil. Let rest at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a fat separator; allow the fat to rise to the top, about 5 minutes, and discard.
• Add the gin to the roasting pan. Boil over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 2 minutes. Strain through a medium-mesh sieve set over a 3- to 4-quart heavy-duty saucepan. Add the defatted pan drippings and the broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and reduce to 2 cups.
• Using a fork, mash the flour with the reserved herb butter until thoroughly combined. Whisk 1 Tbs. of the butter mixture into the broth mixture and continue adding, 1 Tbs. at a time, until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
• Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.

CITRUS-MARINATED GRILLED TURKEY

Steps:

• Put all the marinade ingredients into a bowl and pour over a generous amount of olive oil. Squeeze everything together with your hands to blend all the flavors.
• Have the butcher cut the turkey into 4 pieces and remove the bones from the breast. (Save the neck and backbone for the gravy.) To marinate, put the turkey on a large platter and pour on the marinade; turn the turkey over in the marinade to make sure it is well coated on both sides. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove the turkey from the refrigerator about 1/2 hour before you are ready to grill it. Heat the grill to medium and wipe the grate with some oil. Wipe the marinade from the turkey and season it well with salt and pepper. Put the turkey on the grill, skin side down, and cook for 30 minutes. Turn the bird over and continue grilling, basting with more olive oil, until the juices run clear and the internal temperature of the thigh is 180 degrees F, about 1 hour total. Set aside, cover with foil, and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving.

ROASTED CITRUS & HERB TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Mix butter and Italian seasoning., Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up; pat dry. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; rub half of the butter mixture under the skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Rub cavity with salt and pepper; fill with onion, orange, lemon and herbs. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together., Melt remaining butter mixture; brush over outside of turkey. Add 2 cups broth to roasting pan., Roast, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 3-1/2-4 hours, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.), Remove turkey from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving., Pour pan drippings into a small saucepan; skim fat. Mix flour, remaining broth and, if desired, browning sauce until smooth; whisk into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Serve with turkey.

PERFECT TURKEY

Steps:

• Rub the turkey inside and out with the kosher salt. Place the bird in a large stock pot, and cover with cold water. Place in the refrigerator, and allow the turkey to soak in the salt and water mixture 12 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly rinse the turkey, and discard the brine mixture.
• Brush the turkey with 1/2 the melted butter. Place breast side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff the turkey cavity with 1 onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and the bay leaf. Scatter the remaining vegetables and thyme around the bottom of the roasting pan, and cover with the white wine.
• Roast uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Carefully turn the turkey breast side up about 2/3 through the roasting time, and brush with the remaining butter. Allow the bird to stand about 30 minutes before carving.

PERFECT TURKEY GRAVY

Steps:

• Mix Gravy Mix and flour in large saucepan. Gradually stir in water and turkey drippings with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in chopped turkey giblets, if desired.
• Stirring frequently, cook on medium-high heat until gravy comes to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. (Gravy will continue to thicken upon standing.)

CITRUS AND HERB TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 with rack in lower third position.
• Season cavity of turkey with 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stuff cavity with orange, lemon, onion, garlic, and herbs. Tie legs with twine and transfer turkey to a rack set inside a roasting pan.
• Rub skin with olive oil and season with remaining salt and pepper.
• Pour 2 cups chicken stock into roasting pan and transfer to oven. Roast turkey for 2 1/2 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast registers 165 degrees. After first hour of roasting, baste turkey every 30 minutes, and tent with foil if skin becomes deep golden brown before turkey is cooked.
• Remove turkey from oven and transfer to a carving board. Let stand at least 15 minutes.
• Place roasting pan on stovetop over medium-high heat and bring pan drippings and remaining 1 cup chicken stock to a simmer. Combine milk and flour in a mason jar and shake vigorously to combine. Whisk milk mixture into gravy and simmer, whisking constantly, until gravy thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Carve turkey and serve with gravy.

CITRUS TURKEY BRINE

Steps:

• Rub salt onto your turkey, and place remaining salt, lemons, oranges, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme and pepper into a large pot. Place the turkey in the pot, and fill with water. Refrigerate overnight. Discard brine after removing turkey.

SAGE AND CITRUS PERFECT TURKEY GRAVY

Steps:

• Mix Gravy Mix, flour and sage in large saucepan. Gradually stir in water, turkey drippings and juice with wire whisk until smooth.
• Stirring frequently, cook on medium-high heat until gravy comes to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. (Gravy will continue to thicken upon standing.)

TRIPLE CITRUS BUTTERED TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Let the turkey sit at room temperature, covered, for 30 minutes to come to temperature before preparing.
• Zest and juice the lemon, lime and orange. Reserve the juice for another use and set the rinds aside. Mix the butter with the citrus zest and salt and pepper to taste. Rub the seasoned butter all over the turkey, inside and out, as well as under the skin. Put the citrus rinds and leeks into the cavity. Tie up the legs and put the turkey, breast-side up, onto the rack in a roasting pan. Pour 2 cups water into the pan and roast, basting with the pan juices every 15 to 20 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature taken from the thickest part of the thigh is 170 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes per pound. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. Reserve about 1 1/2 cups turkey and 1/2 cup of the pan drippings for another use if desired, such as the Round 2 Recipe Thanksgiving Pie.

CITRUS-RUBBED TURKEY WITH CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Tuck wing tips underneath body and place on a roasting rack in a heavy-bottomed metal roasting pan. Combine thyme, lemon and orange zests, 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper; beginning with underside, sprinkle on turkey, including in large cavity. Refrigerate, uncovered, 8 hours (or overnight).
• Let turkey sit at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove rack and turkey from pan, discard accumulated liquid, and add celery, carrots, onion, and 2 cups water to pan. Return rack and turkey to pan. Wipe any remaining rub from inside with a paper towel and loosely fill large and neck cavities with stuffing. Tie legs together with kitchen twine and evenly sprinkle turkey with 2 tablespoons paprika.
• Place pan in oven, reduce temperature to 375 degrees, and roast 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring orange and lemon juices, cider, butter, and remaining 2 tablespoons paprika to a simmer over medium.
• Baste turkey with cider mixture; keep remaining warm over low. Continue roasting, basting turkey with cider mixture every 25 minutes (tent turkey with foil if necessary to prevent overbrowning), 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone) and center of stuffing reads 165 degrees.
• Transfer turkey to a platter or cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 30 minutes before scooping out stuffing and carving turkey. Strain pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve and discard solids. Skim fat and return juices to pan. Set pan across two burners, add 1 cup broth, and bring to a simmer over medium, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Whisk together flour and remaining cup broth; add to pan, whisking constantly, until gravy is thickened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm with carved turkey and stuffing.

CITRUS-GLAZED TURKEY WITH CHIPOTLE GRAVY

Steps:

• FOR GLAZE:.
• Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in next 7 ingredients.
• Freeze until mixture begins to firm up but is still spreadable, about 30 minutes.
• Set aside 1/2 cup citrus glaze for gravy.
• FOR TURKEY:.
• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onions and reserved turkey parts and saute until onions are very deep brown, about 22 minutes.
• Add carrots, celery, and tomatoes to skillet and toss to blend. (Glaze and vegetable mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Cover turkey and chill.)
• Set rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F
• Place small rack in center of large roasting pan.
• Sprinkle vegetable mixture with turkey parts around rack.
• Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry.
• Place turkey on rack in roasting pan.
• Starting at neck end, carefully slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin.
• Rub 1/2 cup citrus glaze over breast meat under skin.
• If stuffing turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into neck and main cavities.
• Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together loosely to hold shape.
• Brush 1/3 cup glaze over top and sides of turkey (not bottom); reserve any remaining glaze.
• Sprinkle turkey generously with salt and pepper.
• Cover turkey (not pan) loosely with foil.
• Roast 30 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; add 1 cup broth to pan.
• Press foil snugly around turkey (not pan).
• Roast 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Add 1 cup broth to pan.
• Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, adding 1 cup broth every 30 minutes, lifting foil to baste with pan juices and removing foil during last 15 minutes to brown turkey, about 3 hours 30 minutes longer if unstuffed or 4 hours 15 minutes if stuffed.
• Transfer turkey to platter.
• Tent with foil; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase by 5 to 10 degrees).
• Reserve pan juices.
• FOR GRAVY:.
• Strain pan juices into 8-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract some pulp and as much liquid as possible; discard solids in strainer.
• Spoon fat from top of juices; discard fat.
• Add enough chicken broth to pan juices in cup to measure 6 cups.
• Stir reserved 1/2 cup citrus glaze in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until melted.
• Gradually add flour; whisk 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in pan juices.
• Bring to boil, whisking until smooth.
• Reduce heat to medium; boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Season gravy with salt and pepper.
• Brush any remaining glaze over turkey.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

CITRUS-GLAZED TURKEY WITH CHIPOTLE GRAVY

Steps:

• For glaze:
• Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in next 7 ingredients. Freeze until mixture begins to firm up but is still spreadable, about 30 minutes. Set aside 1/2 cup citrus glaze for gravy.
• For turkey:
• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and reserved turkey parts and sauté until onions are very deep brown, about 22 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and tomatoes to skillet and toss to blend. (Glaze and vegetable mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Cover turkey and chill.)
• Set rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Place small rack in center of large roasting pan. Sprinkle vegetable mixture with turkey parts around rack. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Place turkey on rack in roasting pan. Starting at neck end, carefully slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin. Rub 1/2 cup citrus glaze over breast meat under skin. If stuffing turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into neck and main cavities. Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together loosely to hold shape. Brush 1/3 cup glaze over top and sides of turkey (not bottom); reserve any remaining glaze. Sprinkle turkey generously with salt and pepper. Cover turkey (not pan) loosely with foil. Roast 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; add 1 cup broth to pan. Press foil snugly around turkey (not pan). Roast 1 hour 15 minutes. Add 1 cup broth to pan. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, adding 1 cup broth every 30 minutes, lifting foil to baste with pan juices and removing foil during last 15 minutes to brown turkey, about 3 hours 30 minutes longer if unstuffed or 4 hours 15 minutes if stuffed. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase by 5 to 10 degrees). Reserve pan juices.
• For gravy:
• Strain pan juices into 8-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract some pulp and as much liquid as possible; discard solids in strainer. Spoon fat from top of juices; discard fat. Add enough chicken broth to pan juices in cup to measure 6 cups.
• Stir reserved 1/2 cup citrus glaze in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until melted. Gradually add flour; whisk 1 minute. Gradually whisk in pan juices. Bring to boil, whisking until smooth. Reduce heat to medium; boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Brush any remaining glaze over turkey. Serve turkey with gravy.
• Chipotle chilies canned in a spicy tomato sauce, sometimes called adobo, are available at Latin American markets, specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.

CITRUS TURKEY ROAST

Steps:

• Cut roast in half. Combine the garlic powder, paprika, oil, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper; rub over turkey. Place in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add the garlic, 1/2 cup chicken broth, water, wine, orange juice and lemon juice. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours until a meat thermometer reads 170.
• Remove turkey and keep warm. Discard garlic cloves. For gravy, combine cornstarch and remaining broth until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes or until thickened. Slice turkey; serve with gravy.

BRINED ROAST TURKEY AND PAN GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, bring the water, cloves, ginger, black peppercorn, bay leaves and salt to a boil. Lower to a simmer and stir in the honey and maple syrup until well blended. Turn off heat and allow cooling to room temperature.
• Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold tap water. Reserve the neck and specialty meats for pan gravy. Set the turkey in the brine, making sure that the turkey is fully immersed in the brine. Place a weight on top of the turkey to make sure it is always covered with brine. Marinate for at least 4 hours to overnight, depending on the weight of the turkey, in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a shallow roasting pan, place the carrots, celery and onions. Remove turkey from brine.
• Mix together the butter, garlic, chopped rosemary, and sage to make a compound butter. Using your hands, loosen to the skin from the breast by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and the flesh. Rub the compound butter underneath the skin. Insert the apples, onions, and whole rosemary and sage into the cavity of the turkey.
• Place the turkey over the vegetables, breast-side up, in the roasting pan. Tuck the wings back and under the turkey. Using kitchen twine, tie the legs together. This will make a compact shape and will create a great presentation. Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and rub it into the skin. Roast the turkey to at least 165 degrees F in the breast, about 2 1/2 hours. (Important Chefs Note:) The Cooking times given here are for a 10 lb fresh, not frozen turkey. If using a defrosted frozen turkey add approx, 5 mins per pound cooking time. (i.e. 20 mins per pound). If the skin gets too dark during roasting, tent with foil.
• Transfer turkey to a platter and allow cooling. Meanwhile, prepare the pan gravy.
• Tilt the pan and skim as much fat as possible off the juice with a spoon. Set the pan on 2 burners set on medium heat. Deglaze roasting pan with white wine and Madeira. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any brown bits. Reduce until only a quarter remains. Add the turkey stock, thyme and parsley. Bring to a boil and strain into a saucepan. Bring back to a boil, skim and lower to a simmer. Whisk in the beurre manie until well incorporated and continue to cook until gravy has thickened. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Directions For the Turkey Stock.
• Heat a saucepan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and heat. Add the neck and giblets and cook until browned all over, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and deglaze with the port. Return the pan to the heat and cook until the port is almost completely evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• Add the carrots, onions, celery, rosemary and peppercorns. Cover with cold water by 4-inches. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer for 2 hours, adding a little more water, if necessary. Skim any scum that rises to the surface of the stock and discard.
• Strain the stock. Use immediately, or cool and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

ROAST TURKEY WITH CORN BREAD STUFFING AND GIBLET GRAVY

Steps:

• FOR TURKEY:.
• Combine 4 quarts water and 1 cup coarse salt in very large bowl.
• Let stand until salt dissolves, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Place turkey in salted water, turning to coat.
• Let turkey stand at room temperature 2 hours, turning occasionally.
• Rinse turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan.
• Tuck wings under turkey body.
• Position oven rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F
• Whisk butter, orange juice, lemon juice, thyme, orange peel, lemon peel, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in medium bowl until well blended.
• Rub 1/4 cup thyme butter inside turkey.
• Spoon stuffing loosely into main cavity and neck cavity.
• Generously rub remaining thyme butter over turkey.
• Tie legs together loosely to hold shape of turkey.
• Roast turkey until golden, basting occasionally with pan drippings, about 2 hours.
• Cover entire turkey loosely with heavy-duty foil and roast until meat thermometer inserted into innermost part of thigh registers 180°F or until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced with skewer, basting occasionally with pan juices, about 1 1/2 hours longer.
• Transfer turkey to platter.
• Tent turkey with foil and let stand while preparing gravy.
• FOR GRAVY:.
• Strain pan juices from roasting pan into large glass measuring cup.
• Spoon fat off top of pan juices.
• Pour juices and Giblet Broth into heavy medium saucepan.
• Boil broth mixture until reduced to 3 cups, about 10 minutes.
• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add flour; cook until golden brown, stirring often, about 3 minutes.
• Whisk in reduced broth mixture.
• Simmer until gravy thickens, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add reserved chopped neck meat and giblets, eggs and brandy; simmer 5 minutes longer.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Serve gravy with turkey.
• FOR GIBLET BROTH:.
• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat.
• Add neck and giblets; saute until brown, about 10 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer neck and giblets to plate.
• Add carrots, onion and celery to pot.
• Saute until vegetables brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add water, wine, neck and giblets to vegetables; bring to boil.
• Add all remaining ingredients to pot.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; partially cover and simmer until giblets are very tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer neck and giblets to plate.
• Cool.
• Carefully remove all meat from turkey neck.
• Chop neck meat and giblets; reserve for gravy.
• Strain broth into bowl, pressing on solids. (Broth and giblets can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

CITRUS & THYME TURKEY

Steps:

• Chop the leafy tops of the thyme but not the hard, woody branch ends (save these for the cavity). Finely grate the orange and lemon zest into a small bowl and mix with the chopped thyme, olive oil and seasoning. Mash the mix into the oil with the back of a metal spoon (or use a pestle and mortar) to release its flavour. Set aside to infuse.
• Preheat the oven to fan 170C/conventional 190C/gas 5. Wash the turkey inside and out and dry well with kitchen paper. To make carving easier, you can now cut out the wishbone, but it's not essential.
• Put the reserved third of the stuffing in the neck end of the turkey and push it towards the breast. Don't overfill, as the stuffing will expand during cooking. Secure the neck end flap with a small metal skewer. Weigh the stuffed turkey and calculate the cooking time - allow 18 minutes per 450g/1lb.
• Season the turkey generously with salt and pepper inside and out. Halve the orange and lemon and put in the cavity (squeezing the fruit as it goes in) with the thyme branches and two of the bay leaves. Tie the turkey legs together to give the bird a good shape.
• Throw the chopped carrots and onion and remaining bay leaves into a large roasting tin. Sit the turkey on top of the vegetables, smear the butter over the skin and cover with a loose tent of foil. Roast the turkey for the calculated time, basting with the pan juices every hour.
• Meanwhile, tip the red onions and squash into a shallow roasting tray and toss in half of the thyme oil, making sure you get it right into the cuts in the onions. Set the tray aside.
• Half an hour before the end of the turkey's cooking time, whip off the foil and leave the bird to brown. After 15 minutes, drizzle the turkey with the remaining thyme oil.
• To test if the turkey is cooked, insert a skewer into the thickest part of a thigh - the juices should run clear. If they are still pink, cook for a further 20-30 minutes and test again. Remove the turkey from the oven and turn the oven up to fan 180C/conventional 200C/gas 6. Transfer theturkey to a serving platter, cover tightly with foil and leave to rest while you finish off the vegetables and trimmings.
• Put the red onions and squash in the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes. At the same time, roast the bacon-wrapped sausages (see Lightly spiced Christmas stuffing, right) for 30 minutes. Now make the gravy. Discard any fat from the roasting tin. Stir the wine and redcurrant jelly into the carrots and onion in the tin. Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 8-10 minutes to reduce by half. Scrape the sticky bits off the bottom of the tin with a wooden spoon as the gravy boils. Pour in the stock and simmer for 10 minutes until you have a dark, tasty gravy, adding salt and pepper to taste. Strain the gravy into a pan (discard the vegetables), bring back to the boil and serve in a warm jug.

GRAVY FOR THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY

Steps:

• Pour away any excess fat from the turkey roasting tin but keep the onion halves (if using our Roast turkey with citrus butter recipe). Set the tin over a medium heat, then sprinkle over the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon and cook for 2 mins, turning the onion over in the mixture to extract the flavour.
• Slowly stir in the wine and stock, adding any juices from the resting turkey. Bring to the boil, scraping the bits from the bottom, then simmer over a low heat for 15 mins. Sieve and season before serving alongside your Christmas turkey.