Make-Ahead Delicious Turkey Gravy

Step 1

Cut the turkey wing into pieces with a heavy knife. (If using neck and giblets, cut the neck into three or four pieces. Trim the tough membrane from the gizzard. Rinse all neck pieces and giblets, and pat them very dry with paper towels.).

Step 2

In a large saucepan, melt the butter, and, when its foaming begins to subside, add the turkey pieces.

Step 3

Season with salt and pepper, and sauté over medium heat until golden brown - about 15-20 minutes.

Step 4

Add the coarsely chopped vegetables and garlic, season again with salt and pepper, and continue sautéing (add small bits of butter if necessary to prevent scorching) until vegetables begin to color slightly - about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Sprinkle over the flour, and continue sauteing, stirring constantly, until the floured vegetables turn brown - about 10 minutes.

Step 6

Add the thyme, bay leaves and water to the vegetables, whisking or stirring briskly to incorporate flavors and prevent lumps.

Step 7

When the liquid begins to boil, lower the heat and allow to simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Strain the sauce and discard the solids. Reserve the sauce. You should have about 4 cups of sauce.

Step 9

*This sauce may be made ahead to this point. It may be served as-is, OR thickened before serving.

Step 10

Alternatively, pan drippings may be added before serving and additional thickening may be added at that time.

Step 11

TO ADD PAN DRIPPINGS TO GRAVY:.

Step 12

Remove the roasted turkey and the cooking rack from the roasting pan; place the pan over two burners on the stove, heat adjusted to medium-high. Pour one cup of dry white wine (or dry vermouth) into the pan and bring the liquid to a simmer. With a wooden spoon or spatula, scrape the pan bottom to loosen the browned bits. Remove the roasting pan from the heat, and strain the liquid into a measuring cup, discarding the solids left in the strainer.

Step 13

Allow the liquid in the cup to stand so that the fat separates to the top - then, tilting the measuring cup, skim off the fat with a shallow spoon. Reserve the fat if you intend to thicken the gravy furthur while adding the pan drippings!

Step 14

De-fatted pan drippings (in the measuring cup above) may simply be added to the sauce, if no further thickening is desired. Whisk in the drippings, and allow sauce to simmer for a few minutes to develop flavors.

Step 15

*TO ADD DRIPPINGS AND ALSO THICKEN THE SAUCE AT THE SAME TIME:.

Step 16

Heat 4 tablespoons* of reserved turkey fat in a large saucepan until bubbling, then stir in an equal amount of flour (*use only half this amount of fat and flour if less thickening is desired for a thinner final gravy). Heat and stir the fat and flour mixture until bubbling - about 1 full minute, then gradually whisk in the defatted pan drippings, and finally, whisk in the finished sauce made ahead as described above. Reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer the drippings mixture with the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste for seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 17

NOTE: As the finished gravy is allowed to stand and cool, it will become thicker. To correct gravy that has become too thick, simply re-heat the gravy, adding water, turkey broth or chicken broth until it has thinned to desired consistency. Taste again for seasonings. A good idea: serve gravy in a warmed gravy boat or serving bowl.