Spiced Rubbed Turkey With Balsamic And Thyme Gravy Recipes

BALSAMIC-GLAZED TURKEY

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the lowest position and remove the other racks; preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Remove any turkey parts from the neck and breast cavities and reserve for another use if desired. Dry the turkey well with paper towels inside and out. Sprinkle the inside with salt and pepper and stuff with the lemon zest, onion, 1 head of the garlic and half of the rosemary, sage and thyme. Set the turkey on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan breast-side up. Rub the outside of the turkey with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Put the chicken broth, 1 stick of the butter, 1 cup water and the remaining rosemary, sage, thyme and head of garlic in the bottom of the pan. Tent the turkey with foil.
• Roast the turkey, basting thoroughly every 30 minutes, for 2 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, heat the balsamic vinegar, honey and remaining stick of butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is simmering. Continue to simmer until thick, syrupy and reduced by about half, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• After roasting the turkey for 2 1/2 hours, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Roast the turkey for another 15 minutes, then baste with about a third of the balsamic glaze using a pastry brush. Roast for another 10 minutes, then glaze again with half of the remaining glaze. Roast for another 10 minutes, then glaze a final time with the remaining glaze. Continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes more.
• Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

SPICED RUBBED TURKEY WITH BALSAMIC AND THYME GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F
• Remove wrapping and plastic insert from turkey and discard. Take out giblets and neck and set aside. Rinse turkey well under cold running water and pat dry.
• In a small bowl, combine salt, paprika, cumin and coriander. Sprinkle seasoning mix all over turkey - inside cavity and over skin - especially the breast and top side.
• Put a handful of diced onion, the lemon wedge and the herbs in the cavity. Set aside.
• In the bottom of the roasting pan just larger than the turkey, place the remaining onions, carrots, celery, giblets and turkey neck. Set turkey on a rack over top. Add broth and about 1 cup water; add more water if needed so that liquid covers vegetables but doesn't touch the turkey.
• Tent turkey loosely with foil and roast, breast side up, for about 3 1/2 hours or until the thickest part of the thigh registers 175F on an instant-read thermometer. Check periodically, adding water to the pan if it looks dry. Remove foil for last hour of cooking, rotating turkey halfway through if top is browning unevenly.
• Transfer cooked turkey to a platter (internal temperature should rise to 185F) and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes.
• GRAVY: Pour contents of roasting pan through fine mesh strainer set over a large measuring cup or work bowl. Place roasting pan on stovetop. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and over low heat, stir liquid until brown bits have been lifted. Pour through a strainer, adding to accumulated liquid.
• With the back of a spoon press solids against strainer until all their liquid is released. Discard solids and skim fat from pan juices. Add enough chicken broth to make up 4 cups stock.
• In a medium, heavy bottom saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour and stir mixture until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Whisk in stock, a little at a time, over low heat, Once all the stock is incorporated, heat the gravy gently, whisking until smooth Add balsamic vinegar and thyme. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Carve turkey and serve with gravy. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

BUTTERMILK-BRINED SPICE-RUBBED TURKEY

Steps:

• Brine the turkey: Bring 2 cups water, the salt, brown sugar, 1 halved garlic head and 10 thyme sprigs to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar. Remove from the heat and add 6 cups cold water; let cool to room temperature. Whisk the buttermilk, hot sauce, mustard and sliced onion in a large bowl, then whisk in the salt-sugar mixture. Place the turkey in a brining bag or extra-large pot. Pour the brine over the turkey, seal or cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Position a rack in the lowest part of the oven; remove the other racks and preheat to 350˚. Set a rack in a large roasting pan. Remove the turkey from the brine, letting the excess drip off as much as possible, and transfer, breast-side up, to the rack. Pat the turkey dry. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Combine the paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, cayenne and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Stuff the turkey cavity with the remaining 1 halved garlic head and 10 thyme sprigs and the quartered onion; tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Tuck the wings under the body. Season the turkey all over with salt and brush with the melted butter. Coat the turkey with the spice mixture.
• Roast the turkey 1 1/2 hours, then baste with the pan drippings. (Add 1/4 cup water to the roasting pan if it's too dry.) Continue to roast, basting every 30 minutes, until the skin is crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165˚, 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before carving.

HERB-ROASTED TURKEY WITH SHALLOT PAN GRAVY

Steps:

• Mix butter, chopped parsley, chopped sage, chopped thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl to blend. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Transfer herb butter to small bowl; cover and refrigerate. Bring butter to room temperature before using.) Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Sprinkle main cavity of turkey with salt and pepper. Place whole parsley, sage and thyme sprigs and 4 shallot halves in cavity. Starting at neck end, carefully slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin. Spread 3 tablespoons herb butter over breast meat under skin. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together to hold shape. Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan. Rub 4 tablespoons herb butter over turkey. Cover only breast area of turkey with sheet of heavy-duty foil. Scatter remaining shallots in pan around turkey.
• Roast turkey 30 minutes; baste with 1/2 cup broth. Continue roasting turkey for 1 1/2 hours, basting with 1/2 cup broth every 30 minutes. Remove foil from over turkey breast. Continue to roast turkey until golden brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180°F, basting with pan juices every 20 minutes, about 1 hour longer. Transfer turkey to platter. Brush with 1 tablespoon herb butter. Tent loosely with foil; let stand 20 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer shallots from roasting pan to plate. Pour pan juices into medium bowl; spoon off fat and discard. Add wine and 1 cup chicken broth to roasting pan. Set pan directly over 2 burners and bring broth mixture to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Continue to boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes; pour into large glass measuring cup. Add degreased pan juices. Add enough broth if necessary to equal 3 cups liquid.
• Blend flour into remaining herb butter. Pour broth mixture into heavy medium saucepan and bring to boil. Gradually whisk in herb butter mixture. Add any accumulated juices from turkey platter. Boil until gravy thickens enough to coat spoon lightly, whisking occasionally, about 6 minutes. Add shallots to gravy; simmer 1 minute. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Serve turkey with gravy.