Best Apple Cider Gravy Recipes

BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• To brine the turkey: Combine all of the ingredients for the brine in a large container. Add the turkey and let it brine in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
• To prepare the turkey for cooking: Remove the turkey from the brine the night before roasting and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. Combine the rosemary, sage, and butter for the herb crust in a small bowl. Season, to taste, with kosher salt. Work the butter under the skin of the turkey and massage it into the breasts and the legs. Massage the butter on the outside of the skin as well. Tie the legs together over the breast so they will protect it during cooking and help keep it moist and juicy.
• Gravy preparation: Put the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Arrange the turkey on top of the veggies and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Make sure that there is no raw food near the turkey in the refrigerator. After refrigerating overnight, the turkey is ready to go in the oven.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Put 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup apple cider in the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until the skin gets really nice and brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan, if needed. Cook about 17 minutes per pound. Once it gets to the proper color, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too dark.
• Remove the turkey from the oven when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the turkey registers 160 degrees F. Make sure that the thermometer is not touching a bone when doing the reading. When the turkey has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the roasting pan to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
• Strain all the veggies over a bowl to separate them from the stock/mixture. Discard the veggies. Skim off the fat and add it to the roasting pan. This is the fat for the roux. Put the roasting pan over 2 burners and over a low heat and whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup apple cider, remaining chicken stock and the stock/cider mixture. Cook until the mixture has thickened and reached a gravy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into a serving pitcher or bowl.
• Carve the turkey, transfer to a serving platter and serve with the gravy.
• Give thanks for such a great turkey!!!

HERB-ROASTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• To brine the turkey:
• Line extra-large pot or bowl with two 13-gallon (or larger) plastic bags, 1 inside the other. Combine 1 quart water, salt, bay leaves, peppercorns, and allspice in large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Add 1 quart cold water and cool to lukewarm. Pour into plastic bags; mix in remaining 6 quarts water. Wrap turkey neck and refrigerate. Submerge turkey in brine to cover completely, gathering bags tightly to eliminate any air; tie bags closed. Refrigerate turkey in brine in pot at least 18 hours and up to 20 hours.
• Line large roasting pan with 4 layers of paper towels. Remove turkey from brine and drain well; discard brine. Place turkey in prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• For herb butter and gravy:
• Mix parsley, thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, and nutmeg in small bowl. Transfer 1/4 cup herb mixture to small bowl; mix in 1/2 cup butter.
• Combine broth and apple cider in heavy large saucepan. Boil until reduced to 3 cups, about 20 minutes. Pour broth reduction into bowl. Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in same saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour; stir 1 minute. Whisk in broth reduction, then cream, Calvados, and remaining herb mixture. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until gravy base is thickened and reduced to 2 3/4 cups, whisking often, about 20 minutes. Cool gravy base slightly. (Gravy base and herb butter can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.)
• To roast the turkey:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Remove turkey from roasting pan; drain any accumulated juices from main cavity. Discard paper towels from roasting pan. Melt herb butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Brush bottom of roasting pan with some of herb butter. Return turkey to prepared pan. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together loosely to hold shape. Place some apple quarters and onion quarters in main cavity. Brush remaining herb butter over turkey; sprinkle with pepper. Scatter remaining apples and onions around turkey in pan. Add reserved turkey neck to pan.
• Roast turkey 1 hour. Baste with 1/2 cup apple cider. Roast turkey 30 minutes. Baste with remaining 1/2 cup cider. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting turkey every 30 minutes with pan juices and covering breast loosely with foil if browning too quickly, about 2 hours longer (3 1/2 hours total). Transfer turkey to platter; let stand at least 30 minutes before carving (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees).
• Discard apples, onions, and turkey neck from pan. Pour pan juices into large glass measuring cup; spoon off fat from surface. Pour degreased juices into gravy base and bring to boil over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally. Boil until gravy thickens enough to coat spoon and is reduced to 3 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Season gravy to taste with pepper.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

CROWN ROAST OF PORK WITH APPLE AND PORK STUFFING AND CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Make pork:
• Position pork atop 9- to 10-inch-diameter tart pan bottom. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Brush pork with oil. Combine salt, sugar, thyme, sage and pepper in small bowl. Rub spice mixture over pork. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Fill pork cavity with enough stuffing to mound in center. Cover tips of pork bones with foil. Roast pork 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325°F. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into center of pork meat registers 150°F, about 1 hour 50 minutes. Remove foil from bones. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into center of pork and stuffing registers 155°F, about 15 minutes longer. Carefully transfer roast atop tart pan bottom to platter.
• Make gravy:
• Add 1 cup broth to baking sheet and scrape up browned bits from bottom of baking sheet. Pour juices into 2-cup glass measuring cup; freeze 15 minutes. Spoon fat off top of pan juices. Transfer pan juices to medium saucepan. Add remaining 1/2 cup beef broth and apple cider. Bring to boil. Dissolve cornstarch into applejack in small bowl; whisk into broth mixture. Boil until gravy thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer gravy to sauceboat.
• Carve roast between bones to separate chops. Serve with stuffing and gravy.

PORK MEDALLIONS WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Sprinkle pork slices evenly with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add pork; cook 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink in center. Remove pork to plate; cover to keep warm.
• In same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually add cider and broth; cook 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in chopped rosemary and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Serve pork with cider gravy. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

CIDER-BASTED TURKEY WITH ROASTED APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• For turkey:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Combine first 5 ingredients in small saucepan. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; bring liquid to boil. Set liquid aside.
• Mix 2 quartered apples, onion, thyme, sage leaves and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in large bowl.
• Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Sprinkle main cavity with salt and pepper. Spoon apple mixture into main cavity. Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together loosely. Place turkey in large roasting pan. Rub turkey breast and legs with butter. Pour half of basting liquid over turkey. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast turkey 30 minutes. Pour remaining basting liquid over turkey. Roast 2 hours, basting frequently with pan juices and adding 1 cup (or more) water to pan if juices have evaporated. Add all apple slices to pan juices around turkey. Cover turkey loosely with foil to keep from browning too quickly. Continue to roast until apples are tender, turkey is deep brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting frequently with pan juices, about 1 hour 30 minutes longer.
• Transfer turkey to platter. Tent loosely with foil; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
• For gravy:
• Using slotted spoon, transfer apples from pan juices to bowl. Pour pan juices into 4-cup measuring cup. Spoon off fat and discard. Add enough chicken broth to pan juices to measure 4 cups. Transfer broth mixture to large saucepan; simmer 5 minutes. Add reserved apples; simmer 2 minutes. Mix apple cider and cornstarch in small bowl. Whisk into gravy. Boil until gravy thickens, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Discard mixture from turkey cavity. Serve turkey with gravy.

ROAST TURKEY WITH APPLE-CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• In a pot large enough to hold the turkey, combine all of the brine ingredients and stir. Add the turkey to the pot, cover, and refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours. Remove the turkey from the pot, discard the brine, and rinse the turkey thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
• Combine the onion, celery, apple, parsnip, quince, herbs, and spices in a bowl and toss. Spoon into the cavity of the turkey.
• Truss the turkey, tying its legs together tightly with kitchen twine. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set in a large roasting pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, place in the oven, and roast for 2 1/2 hours.
• Uncover the turkey and reserve the foil. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Brush the turkey with half of the melted butter and cook for 30 minutes. Brush on the remaining butter and continue cooking for about 1 hour and 15 minutes longer, basting every 30 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 150 degrees. (The internal temperature will rise 10 degrees while the turkey rests).
• Transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Pour off the fat from the roasting pan. Spoon the vegetables from the cavity of the turkey into the pan; cover the turkey loosely with the reserved foil, and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the gravy: Add the butter to the roasting pan with the vegetables. Place the pan over medium heat, using 2 burners if necessary. Use a wooden spoon to stir and brown the vegetables lightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cider, bring to a boil, and cook until reduced and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the turkey drippings. Transfer the gravy to a 3-quart saucepan, add the chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the gravy has thickened, about 10 minutes. Pour any juices that have accumulated around the turkey into the pan and continue cooking for 1 more minute. Season with the salt and pepper. Strain the gravy into a warm sauceboat.
• Carve the turkey and serve with gravy.

APPLE CIDER-BRINED TURKEY WITH SAVORY HERB GRAVY

Steps:

• To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan, bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely.
• Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse Turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerat for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees:.
• Remove turkey from bags and discard bring, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsely, onion, and broth in the botom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down on roastick rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 500% for 30 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meat party of thigh registers 170 degrees. Remove turkey from oven; let stand20 minutes. Reserve pan drippings for Savory Herb Gravy.
• Directions for Gravy:.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add turkey neck and giblets; cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Add water and next 7 ingredients (through bay leaf); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is reduced to about 2 1/2 cups (about 1 hours). Strain through a colander over a bowl, reserving cooking liquid and turkey neck. Discard remaining solids. Chill cooking liquid completely.Skim fat from surface, and discard. Remove meat from neck; finely chop meat. Discard neck bone. Add neck meat to cooking liquid.
• Strain the reserved turkey drippings throug a colander over a shallow bowl; discard solids. Place strained drippings in freezer for 20 minutes. Skim fat from surface; discard.
• Place flour in a medium saucepan; add 1/4 cup cooking liquid, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add remaining cooking liquid, turkey drippings, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

ROAST TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER PAN GRAVY

Steps:

• For gravy base:
• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add turkey parts; sauté 10 minutes. Add onions, celery, and bay leaves; sauté until onions are soft, about 8 minutes. Add cloves, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg; stir 10 seconds. Add cider, broth, and apple; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain stock into medium saucepan. Discard solids. Stir honey and vinegar into gravy base. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.)
• For turkey:
• Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 500°F. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Sprinkle main cavity generously with salt and pepper. Place onion wedges, apple wedges, and crumbled bay leaves in cavity. Starting at neck end, carefully slide hand between skin and breast meat of turkey to loosen skin. Rub 4 tablespoons butter over breast meat under skin. Place turkey on rack set in large roasting pan. Tuck wing tips under. Tie legs together loosely to hold shape. Rub remaining 3 tablespoons butter over outside of turkey. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place turkey in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Roast turkey 1 hour; pour 1 cup chicken broth over turkey. Roast 1 hour, basting once with pan drippings. Pour 1 cup chicken broth over turkey. Roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting once with pan drippings and covering turkey loosely with foil if browning too quickly, about 1 hour longer. Transfer turkey to platter; cover loosely with foil. Let turkey rest 20 to 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
• Pour pan juices into large measuring cup. Spoon fat off top of pan juices and discard. Return pan juices to roasting pan; add gravy base. Place roasting pan over 2 burners and bring gravy to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until gravy is reduced to 31/4 cups, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits, about 15 minutes. Season gravy to taste with salt and pepper. Strain gravy into bowl.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

ROAST TURKEY WITH APPLES, ONIONS, FRIED SAGE LEAVES, AND APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Roast turkey:
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper inside and out. Fold neck skin under body and secure with a small skewer. Tie drumsticks together with kitchen string and secure wings to body with small skewers.
• Put turkey on a rack set in a large flameproof roasting pan. Roast turkey in middle of oven 30 minutes.
• While turkey is roasting, blanch onions in boiling water 1 minute and rinse under cold water. Peel onions, then toss with 1 tablespoon melted butter and salt and pepper to taste. Toss apples with 1 tablespoon melted butter and salt and pepper to taste in another bowl.
• Reduce temperature to 350°F. Brush remaining 1/4 cup melted butter over turkey and roast 30 minutes more.
• Baste turkey and scatter onions around it, then roast 30 minutes more.
• Baste turkey and add apples to roasting pan. Roast another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into fleshy part of a thigh registers 180°F.
• Transfer turkey, onions, and apples to a heated platter, leaving juices in pan. Remove skewers and discard string. Let turkey stand at least 30 minutes, up to 45.
• Make gravy while turkey stands:
• Skim fat from pan juices and reserve 1/4 cup fat. Pour pan juices into a 2-quart glass measure and add enough turkey giblet stock to make 4 1/2 cups total. Set pan to straddle 2 burners. Add 1 cup stock mixture and deglaze by boiling over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits. Add remaining 3 1/2 cups stock mixture, cider, and vinegar and bring to a simmer. Transfer to glass measure.
• Whisk together reserved fat and flour in a large heavy saucepan and cook roux over moderately low heat, whisking, 3 minutes. Add hot stock mixture in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, then simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in any additional turkey juices from platter and season gravy with salt and pepper. Pour gravy through a fine sieve into a gravy boat.

CIDER-BASTED TURKEY WITH ROASTED APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• For turkey:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F
• Combine first 5 ingredients in small saucepan.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; bring liquid to boil.
• Set liquid aside.
• Mix 2 quartered apples, onion, thyme, sage leaves and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in large bowl.
• Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry.
• Sprinkle main cavity with salt and pepper.
• Spoon apple mixture into main cavity.
• Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together loosely.
• Place turkey in large roasting pan.
• Rub turkey breast and legs with butter.
• Pour half of basting liquid over turkey.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast turkey 30 minutes.
• Pour remaining basting liquid over turkey.
• Roast 2 hours, basting frequently with pan juices and adding 1 cup (or more) water to pan if juices have evaporated.
• Add all apple slices to pan juices around turkey.
• Cover turkey loosely with foil to keep from browning too quickly.
• Continue to roast until apples are tender, turkey is deep brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting frequently with pan juices, about 1 hour 30 minutes longer.
• Transfer turkey to platter.
• Tent loosely with foil; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
• For gravy:
• Using slotted spoon, transfer apples from pan juices to bowl.
• Pour pan juices into 4-cup measuring cup.
• Spoon off fat and discard.
• Add enough chicken broth to pan juices to measure 4 cups.
• Transfer broth mixture to large saucepan; simmer 5 minutes.
• Add reserved apples; simmer 2 minutes.
• Mix apple cider and cornstarch in small bowl.
• Whisk into gravy.
• Boil until gravy thickens, about 2 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Discard mixture from turkey cavity.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

TURKEY ROULADE WITH APPLE-CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the turkey breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 3/4-inch. Set aside while stuffing is prepared.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the cranberries in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat, drain and reserve. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring, until onions are golden but not charred, about 12 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add bread, cranberries, pecans, 2 tablespoons fresh or 2 teaspoons dried sage and 1/2 to 3/4-cup chicken stock, depending upon consistency of stuffing; (you want the mixture to be moistened, but not too wet, since the turkey will release moisture when cooked). Cook over low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes, remove from heat.
• Salt and pepper the inside and outside of the turkey breast. Spread the stuffing on the turkey, leaving about 1 1/2 to 2-inches uncovered on all sides. Roll up and secure tightly with kitchen twine, trying to keep all stuffing intact.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large Dutch oven or medium-sized roasting pan until hot. Sear stuffed turkey breast on all sides until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add sliced onion and 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, cover tightly and roast in the oven until turkey reaches 160 degrees F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into inner layer of meat, about 60 to 65 minutes. Remove the turkey breast from oven and transfer to a cutting board to rest.
• Make the gravy: Add apple cider, 1/2 cup chicken stock, vinegar and remaining sage to the onions, chicken stock and juices in the roasting pan, bring to a boil and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by 1/3. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly, and cook for 3 minutes more. The gravy should not be thick, just slightly thicker than a jus. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Makes 1 1/2 cups gravy.
• Remove twine from turkey breast and slice into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces. Serve with gravy.

APPLE CIDER BRINED TURKEY WITH HERB SAVORY HERB GRAVY (CL)

Steps:

• To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely. Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 500º. Remove turkey from bags, and discard brine, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down, on roasting rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 500º for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350º. Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 350º for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 170º (make sure not to touch bone). (Shield the turkey with foil if it browns too quickly.) Remove turkey from oven; let stand 20 minutes. Reserve pan drippings for Savory Herb Gravy. Discard skin before serving; serve with gravy.

BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Brine Combine ingredients for brine. Add turkey and let it brine in refrigerator 2 to 3 days. Turkey Remove turkey from brine the night before and pat dry. Combine rosemary, sage, and butter for herb crust. Salt to taste. Work butter under turkey skin and massage on outside of skin. Tie legs over breast. Gravy Put the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Arrange the turkey on top of the veggies and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup apple cider in the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast until skin gets brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan, if needed. Cook about 17 minutes per pound. Once it gets to the proper color, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too dark. Cook until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove from roasting pan to a cutting board and let rest for at least least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil. Strain all the veggies over a bowl to separate them from the stock/mixture. Discard the veggies. Skim off the fat and add it to the roasting pan. This is the fat for the roux. Put the roasting pan over 2 burners and over a low heat and whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup apple cider, remaining chicken stock and the stock/cider mixture. Cook until the mixture has thickened and reached a gravy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into a serving pitcher or bowl.

APPLE CIDER-BRINED TURKEY WITH SAVORY HERB GRAVY

Steps:

• Preparation To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely. Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 500º. Remove turkey from bags, and discard brine, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down, on roasting rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 500º for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350º. Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 350º for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 170º (make sure not to touch bone). (Shield the turkey with foil if it browns too quickly.) Remove turkey from oven; let stand 20 minutes. Reserve pan drippings for Savory Herb Gravy. Discard skin before serving; serve with gravy.

CIDER-BASTED TURKEY AND APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Combine basting ingredients (1st 5 ingredients) in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Then set it aside.
• Remove giblets and neck from inside turkey.
• Place apples, onion thyme, and sage into turkey.
• Rub breasts and legs with butter and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
• Pour 1/2 of the basting liquid over turkey.
• Place in oven to roast for 30 minutes.
• Pour remaining liquid over turkey and roast 2 more hours, basting frequently.
• Add water if needed.
• Add apple slices to pan juices around turkey.
• Cover turkey and roast another 1 1/2 hours.
• For gravy: Transfer apples from pan to a bowl.
• Spoon off fat from pan juices.
• Add enough chicken broth to measure 4 cups.
• Add broth and apples to saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Mix apple cider and corn starch in a small bowl.
• Whisk corn starch mixture into gravy.
• Season with salt and pepper.

SPICE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CELERY ROOT-APPLE PUREE AND CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Make Puree:
• Combine celery root, onion, apple, sage and chicken broth in a 4-quart saucepan, Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until celery root is tender. Remove sage leaves and drain stock, reserving liquid. Place cooked mixture into a food processor with salt and add 1/2 cup reserved liquid, then more liquid by the tablespoon to achieve desired consistency. Puree for 30 seconds until smooth. Reserve (mixture will stay warm in food processor bowl for about 30 minutes).
• Make Pork: Preheat broiler. Pat pork loin dry with paper towels. Combine sugar, celery seed, sage, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture all over pork loin. Place on broiling tray and broil approximately 7 to 8 minutes per side, until meat is cooked but still pinkish in center. Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then slice into 1/4-inch slices.
• Make Gravy:
• Heat oil in a medium-sized saute pan over medium heat, Saute shallots, stirring often, until soft and translucent but not brown about 5 minutes. Add apple cider and cook until all but 2 tablespoons of the cider has been cooked away and shallots are glazed with reduced cider, about 4-5 minutes. Add chicken broth, vinegar and salt and cook an additional 2 minutes. To serve, spoon 1 cup puree onto a plate. Top with 4 slices of pork and 1 1/2 tablespoons cider gravy.

APPLE PORK CHOPS WITH CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• 1. Combine flour,salt mustard,and pepper. Place mixture on plate.
• 2. Coat chops well with mixture. In a large fry pan. Brown chops in the butter. Remove chops to a baking dish.
• 3. In pan drippings add butter. When butter melts. Add the flour. Stir until smooth. Mix in juice or cider, cinnamon, brown sugar, a dash of salt and pepper. Cook until thickened
• 4. Pour apple juice gravy mixture over chops, and place chopped apples and raisins on top. Cover chops with foill. Cook at 350 degree's for 1 hour, or until cooked through.

ORANGE- AND MUSTARD-BASTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER-MUSTARD GRAVY

Steps:

• For turkey:
• Mix first 6 ingredients in small bowl. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Place on rack set in large roasting pan. Rub inside of main cavity and neck cavity with orange quarters (reserve orange quarters); sprinkle with salt and pepper. Rub herb butter over outside of turkey. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 350°F. If not stuffing turkey, fill main cavity and neck cavity with orange quarters, onion, garlic, celery, thyme sprigs, and sage sprigs. If stuffing turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into both cavities. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together loosely to hold shape. Mix orange juice and Dijon mustard in small bowl; pour into pan around turkey. Place turkey in oven with tail at back. Roast turkey 45 minutes. Add 2 cups broth to pan; baste turkey. Turn pan around. Roast turkey 45 minutes. Add 1 cup broth; baste with pan juices. Turn pan around and cover turkey loosely with foil. Continue to roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting with 1 cup broth and rotating pan every 45 minutes, about 1 hour 45 minutes longer if unstuffed and 2 hours 15 minutes longer if stuffed. Transfer turkey to platter; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
• For gravy:
• Strain pan juices into 8-cup measuring cup. Spoon off fat. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add flour and stir until golden, about 5 minutes. Whisk in apple and all remaining ingredients, then pan juices. Bring gravy to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until gravy thickens, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

APPLE-SCENTED ROAST TURKEY WITH CIDER-CALVADOS GRAVY

Steps:

• Brine Turkey: A day before serving, brine turkey 1 hour per pound. Combine salt, brown sugar, and ancho powder in a brining bag or stockpot. Purée 2 cups cider, garlic, and apples. Add to brine with remaining cider and 4 quarts cold water. Whisk to dissolve salt and sugar; add turkey. Keep turkey cold by refrigerating or placing in a cooler with ice. Bring to room temperature before cooking. Make Broth: Brown neck, giblets, and chicken pieces in a skillet. Transfer to a 6-quart pot. Pour half the fat out of skillet and return to heat. Stir in vegetables and spices. Cook until just browned, 12-14 minutes. Add Calvados and wine. Bring to a boil and scrape up brown bits on bottom of skillet. Transfer to pot. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch and bring to a slow simmer. Partially cover and cook, without stirring, 4-5 hours. Add more water as needed to keep solids covered. Strain, cool, and skim fat from top. Roast Turkey: Heat oven to 450 F. Place vegetables, 1 chopped apple, 1½ cups basil, and wine in bottom of pan. Liquid should cover bottom of pan by ½ inch. Pat turkey dry and tie legs. Tuck remaining apple and basil into cavity. Rub turkey with butter, rubbing some under the breast skin. Dust with pepper (turkey is already salted from brine). Roast, basting frequently with pan juices, until thigh temperature reaches 165-170 F. Make Gravy: Remove 2/3 vegetables in roasting pan, cut into small pieces, and add to a skillet. Discard rest. Skim fat from pan juices and add to skillet. Add Calvados, wine, and cider; bring to a boil. Cook down to a syrup, 6-8 minutes. Reheat all but 1 cup of broth. Add 2/3 broth to skillet. Boil, stirring constantly, until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Stir in remaining broth and boil. Remove vegetables. Whisk together reserved 1 cup broth and flour until smooth. Whisk slurry into simmering gravy. Keep simmering and whisking until gravy is smooth and lightly coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 20 minutes. Stir in basil.

GUY COOKS WITH KIDS: JESSIE'S PORK LOIN WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• For the onions and apples: Saute the onions in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat in the butter for 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the apples. Add in the sage, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, salt, pepper and apple juice, and then squeeze the lemon half into the mixture. Cook and gently stir until the apple juice is reduced and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach to the mixture, cover the pan and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. You don't want to overcook the spinach, just wilt it. Taste for seasoning.
• For the pork: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place an oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat and melt 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper and, with tongs, place the loin in the hot butter. Brown the pork thoroughly on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes total.
• Top the pork with the sage leaves, thyme (be careful as the thyme might crackle) and garlic. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and place in the oven. Cook the pork 20 to 30 minutes, but make sure to not overcook. The internal temperature should read 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer. (If you are concerned about overcooking, turn the oven onto warm while finishing the rest of the dish.) Transfer the pork to a platter, tent with some foil and let rest. Remove the whole leaves from the saute pan.
• For the gravy: In the pan you browned the pork, melt the butter over medium to medium-high heat. Sprinkle the flour into the hot pan juices and whisk together to make a roux. Continue to whisk and cook the roux until turns light brown, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the apple cider and continue to stir. Pour in chicken broth and boil the mixture until the gravy is thick, 5 to 7 minutes depending on desired thickness. Squeeze the lemon half into the mixture. Taste for seasoning (salt, pepper, etc). Sprinkle in the torn tarragon leaves. Finish by whisking in the cream.
• To serve: Divide the onion-apple saute among 4 plates. Slice the pork and divide over the onion-apple saute. Cover the pork with gravy. Garnish with some thyme and a wedge of lemon. Serve with cous cous and asparagus.