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Thanksgiving: Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy

Source of Recipe

From "Make It Ahead" by Ina Garten


Recipe Introduction

"The most stressful things about Thanksgiving are carving the turkey at the last minute and keeping it hot on the buffet. What I discovered is that I could carve the turkey in advance, arrange it on an ovenproof platter over a layer of gravy, and then reheat it all together. Not only was the turkey moist and delicious, but it stayed hot longer!"

List of Ingredients

â—¦ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
â—¦ 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
â—¦ Grated zest of 1 lemon
â—¦ 1 12- to 14-pound fresh turkey
â—¦ 1 large yellow onion, unpeeled and cut in eighths
â—¦ 1 lemon, quartered
â—¦ 8 sprigs fresh thyme
â—¦ 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
â—¦ Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Onions and Sage (recipe follows)


Recipe

Two or three days before you plan to roast the turkey, combine 3 tablespoons of salt, the minced thyme, and lemon zest. Wash the turkey inside and out, drain it well, and pat it all over with paper towels. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the salt mixture in the cavity of the turkey and rub the rest on the skin, including under the wings and legs. Place the turkey in a shallow dish just large enough to hold it and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for one or two days. The day before you plan to roast the turkey, remove the plastic wrap and leave the turkey in the fridge. The skin will dry out and turn a little translucent.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Put the turkey in a large roasting pan, discarding any juices in the dish. Place the onion, lemon, and thyme sprigs in the cavity. With kitchen string, tie the legs together and the wings close to the body. Brush the turkey with the butter and sprinkle it generously with salt and pepper.

Roast the turkey for 2 to 2 ¼ hours, until the breast meat registers 165 degrees (put the thermometer in sideways) on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from the oven and place the turkey on a platter. Cut off the legs and thighs and put them back into the roasting pan, covering the breast and carcass tightly with aluminum foil. Place the roasting pan back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the dark meat registers 180 degrees. Remove the dark meat to the platter with the turkey, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Pour a ¼-inch layer of the gravy into a large (12 x 16-inch), ovenproof serving platter (make sure it's ovenproof). Carve the turkey and arrange it artfully on top of the gravy. Place the platter uncovered into the hot oven for 15 to 30 minutes, until the turkey is very hot. Serve hot with extra gravy on the side.

Serves 8



Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Onions and Sage:

No one wants to stand around hoping their gravy won't be lumpy at the moment the turkey comes out of the oven. With this recipe, that will never happen! The gravy base can be simmered up to a week ahead with onions, sage, and Cognac and whisked into the pan after the turkey is done.

â—¦ 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter
â—¦ 1 large red onion, halved and sliced ¼ inch thick
â—¦ 4 large cloves garlic, peeled and halved
â—¦ 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
â—¦ 4 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade
â—¦ 2 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
â—¦ 10 large fresh sage leaves
â—¦ 2 bay leaves
â—¦ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
â—¦ 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the onion becomes browned and starts to caramelize. Sprinkle on the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 ½ minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, Cognac, sage leaves, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt (depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock), and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour and strain, pressing the solids lightly and then discarding them. Refrigerate until ready to use.

After the turkey is cooked, remove it to a carving board to rest while you finish the gravy. Place the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat and add the wine. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring and scraping up all the bits clinging to the bottom of the pan. Slowly whisk the gravy base into the pan. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the gravy is smooth and slightly thickened.

Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

Makes 4 cups