Classic Turkey Gravy

Step 1

Place a ziplock bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour pan drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes. Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings into a small bowl, stopping before fat layer reaches opening. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups drippings.) Discard fat.

Step 2

Place roasting pan from turkey or a large saucepan on a burner over medium-high. Add oil; swirl. Add neck. Add heart and gizzard to pan, if using; cook 3 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Combine 1/2 cup stock and flour in a bowl. Add turkey drippings, flour mixture, remaining 2 cups stock, pepper, and salt to pan, scraping to loosen browned bits. Strain stock mixture into a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes or until reduced to 3 1/2 cups. Stir in thyme.

Step 3

Variation Maple-Pepper Gravy: Omit oil, heart, and gizzard. Follow above main recipe, adding the neck, 1 cup whole milk, and 2 tablespoons maple syrup to the stock mixture in roasting pan. Increase black pepper to 2 teaspoons. Strain into a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until reduced to about 3 1/2 cups. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped thyme. SERVES 16 (serving size: about 1/4 cup) CALORIES 46; FAT 2g (sat 5g, mono 4g, poly 2g); PROTEIN 4g; CARB 4g; FIBER 0g; SUGARS 3g (est. added sugars 2g); CHOL 14mg; IRON 0mg; SODIUM 153mg; CALC 32mg

Step 4

Variation Gravy Bordelaise: Omit heart and gizzard. Follow above main recipe, adding 1 cup sliced shallots and 1 tablespoon minced garlic to oil in pan. Sauté 4 minutes. Add 2 cups dry red wine to pan; cook 12 minutes. Add turkey juices, flour mixture, stock, pepper, and salt. Strain into a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until reduced to about 3 1/2 cups. Stir in chopped thyme. SERVES 16 (serving size: about 1/4 cup) CALORIES 36; FAT 9g (sat 1g, mono 6g, poly 3g); PROTEIN 2g; CARB 4g; FIBER 0g; SUGARS 1g (est. added sugars 0g); CHOL 0mg; IRON 0mg; SODIUM 124mg; CALC 12mg