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Year after year I tell myself that I am going to make
Thanksgiving simpler, but I have yet to actually do that. This year, I did help
myself out a bit by relieving myself of what is probably the most stressful
item in my entire Thanksgiving repertoire...the gravy. When that turkey comes
out of the oven, and I have to cook down those juices, and stir in seasonings,
and make a roux, I totally freak out. Then I end up with gravy that’s clumpy, needs
straining, and slowly cools off, all while I look a strainer. You get the
picture.
This year, I decided to search for a make-ahead recipe, and this one, with my
changes, is a winner. Making it in advance means it can be done so in a relaxed
state, tasted, seasoned to perfection, and then frozen until it’s removed from
the freezer the night before. On the day of serving, all it takes is a simmer
on top of the stove, and it’s ready.
If you are serving turkey for Christmas this year, do give this recipe a try,
once you have, you will never make turkey gravy any other way.

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
6 turkey wings
2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
¾ c. flour
2 quarts chicken broth, divided
¾ c. chopped carrots
½ c. chopped celery
½ t. dried thyme
Pinch of poultry seasoning
Salt, to taste
¼ t. freshly ground black pepper
½ c. heavy cream
Preheat oven to 400° F. Arrange a single layer of turkey wings in a large
roasting pan. Scatter onions over the top of the wings. Roast for 1¼ hours or
until wings are browned.
Place browned wings and onions into a 5-quart stockpot. Place roasting pan over medium heat, and sprinkle flour
over all. Whisk continually until a roux forms. Add 1-2 cups broth to roasting
pan and continue to whisk, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the
pan. Pour this mixture into the stockpot. Stir in remaining broth, carrots,
celery, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer,
uncovered, for 1½ hours.
Remove wings from the pot to a cutting board; set aside to cool. When the wings
are cool, pull off the skin and meat. Discard the skin and save the meat for
another use. Strain contents of stockpot through a large strainer into a 3-quart saucepan. Press
on the vegetables to extract any remaining liquid; discard vegetables. Bring
the contents of the pot to a gentle boil.
Stir in the cream, and season to taste, if necessary. Serve immediately or pour
into containers and refrigerate or freeze.
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