Basic Turkey Gravy

Recipe courtesy of National Turkey Federation.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 package neck, heart, gizzard from turkey giblets
1 medium carrot, thickly sliced
1 medium onion, thickly sliced
1 medium celery rib, thickly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons fat from turkey drippings
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. In a 3-quart saucepan, over high heat, place neck, heart, gizzard, vegetables and 1/2 teaspoon salt in enough cold water to cover. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 60 minutes, skimming any foam from the top.
2. Strain broth into a large bowl; cover and reserve broth in the refrigerator.
3. To make gravy, remove cooked turkey and roasting rack from the roasting pan. Strain poultry drippings through a sieve into a 4 cup measuring cup.
4. Add 1 cup giblet broth to the roasting pan and stir until the crusty brown bits are loosened; pour the deglazed liquid/broth into cup with drippings. Let the mixture stand a few minutes, until the fat rises to the top.
5. Over medium heat, spoon 3 tablespoons fat from the poultry drippings into a 2-quart saucepan. Whisk flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt into the heated fat and continue to cook and stir until the flour turns golden brown.
6. Meanwhile, skim and discard any fat remaining on top of the poultry drippings. Add remaining broth and enough water to the poultry drippings to equal 3 1/2 cups.
7. Gradually whisk in warm poultry drippings/broth mixture. Cook and stir, until gravy simmers and is slightly thick. Season to taste.

Makes 14 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/14 of recipe; 1/4 cup): Calories: 47; Total Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 4mg; Total Carbs: 4g; Protein: 1g; Sodium: 193mg.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of National Turkey Federation.