Shortcut Gravy Food

GUSSIED UP GRAVY

Steps:

• Add the caramelized mirepoix, sage and thyme to a saute pan, mix together and heat over medium until hot. Add the gravy, turkey pan juices, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer--don't boil it--and simmer until reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a dish, let cool and then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• When ready to serve, bring the gravy back to a simmer. Stir in the chopped eggs and pour into a pitcher.
• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• In a saute pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon each of the butter and oil. When the butter is melted, add the celery, carrots, onion and fennel (mirepoix) and saute until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and stir through. Scoop out 2 cups of the caramelized mirepoix and reserve for the gravy. Put the remaining caramelized mirepoix in a large bowl (you should have about 4 cups).
• Heat a second saute pan over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon each butter and oil and heat until the butter is melted. Add the celery root, parsnips and turnips and saute until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the bowl with the mirepoix and add the stuffing mix. Add the chicken broth, parsley, salt and pepper and toss together. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• If baking right away, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cover with foil and bake until the stuffing is heated through, about 1 hour.
• If making ahead of time, cover the unbaked stuffing with foil and refrigerate overnight. The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring the stuffing to room temperature, then drizzle with 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Bake, covered with foil, until heated through, about 1 hour.

SHORTCUT GRAVY

Steps:

• Mix and bring to a boil till desired thickness.

CLASSIC TURKEY GRAVY

Steps:

• When your turkey goes into the oven, start the broth: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and turkey neck and giblets; cook, stirring, until the giblets are browned, about 15 minutes. Add the chicken broth, herb sprigs and bay leaf; cover and simmer while the turkey roasts, about 2 hours. Strain the broth and keep warm; reserve the neck and giblets, if desired.
• When your turkey is done, transfer it to a cutting board and pour all the pan drippings into a degreasing cup. Add 1/2 cup of the prepared broth to the roasting pan and scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. (If the bits are stuck, put the pan over a low burner to loosen them.) Add the bits and liquid to the degreasing cup.
• Let the fat rise to the top of the degreasing cup, then spoon off 1/2 cup fat and transfer to a large saucepan over medium heat. Make a roux: Sprinkle the flour into the pan and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the flour browns slightly, about 4 minutes.
• Gradually add the hot broth to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. Pour the dark roasting juices from the degreasing cup into the gravy, discarding any remaining fat. If desired, chop the giblets and shred the neck meat; add to the gravy. Simmer, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens, about 10 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the flavored butter, if desired.
• Start with cold heavy cream and mix on high speed.
• After about 3 minutes, you'll have whipped cream; continue mixing.
• After about 6 more minutes, the butter will clump and separate from the liquid. Strain and wrap the butter in cheesecloth, then squeeze out the liquid.
• Tip: To make perfect rounds, shape flavored butter into a log using parchment paper; wrap and chill, then slice.
• Pumpkin
• Mash 1/4 cup canned pure pumpkin, 1 stick softened butter, 1/4 teaspoon orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon each sugar and pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt.
• Spiced Cranberry
• Simmer 1/2 cup cranberries with 1 tablespoon water, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 strip lemon zest, 1 cinnamon stick and 1 clove, 6 to 8 minutes. Discard the zest, cinnamon and clove; let cool. Pulse in a food processor with 1 stick softened butter and a pinch of salt.
• Bourbon-Raisin
• Microwave 1/2 cup raisins with 1 tablespoon bourbon, covered, 45 seconds; let cool. Pulse in a food processor with 1 stick softened butter, 1 tablespoon chopped chives and a pinch of salt.
• Sage Brown Butter
• Melt 1 stick butter over medium heat and cook until browned. Add 1/4 cup sage and fry 30 seconds; drain on paper towels, then chop. Let the brown butter cool; mash with 1 stick softened butter, the sage and a pinch of salt.