Dinner: Turkey Dinner with Homemade Gravy

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Turkey Dinner with Homemade Gravy

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

Oven-Roasted Turkey

5 lb. Whole Turkey (or something in similar size)
1/2 medium Onion
1 medium Lemon
1/4 cup Minced Garlic
1 tsp. Dried Rosemary
3 stalks Spring Onions, chopped

Turkey Coating

3 tbsp. Butter, melted
1 tsp. Cayenne
2 tsp. Chicken Herb Seasoning

Gravy Base

Leftover Innards of Turkey
1/3 cup Chicken Stock
3 cups Water
1 tsp. Worcestershire
2 spring Onions
3 Brussels Sprouts
Salt Pepper
2 tbsp. Bacon Fat

Gravy Spices

You will need to double these if you did not half the amount of gravy you are using.


4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
1 Bay Leaf
1/4 tsp. Rosemary
1/4 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1/4 Cup Heavy Cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. In a small ramekin combine 3 tbsp. Butter, 1 tsp. Cayenne, and 2 tsp. Chicken Herb Seasoning by microwaving for 15-20 seconds.
2. Pour the coating mixture over the turkey carefully, making sure to coat every part of the turkey. If you need more coating (depending on turkey size) then make more to completely cover turkey.
3. Chunk the medium onion and chop spring onions into large pieces. Stuff the turkey with 1/2 medium Onion (chunked), 1 medium Lemon (halved), 1/4 cup Minced garlic, 1 tsp. Dried Rosemary, and 3 stalks Spring Onions (chopped).
4. Once the turkey is stuffed, put it into the oven for 2 1/2 hours. You may need to cook it more depending on the size of your turkey. You want it to be 165F inside.
5. In a saucepan, bring the innards of the turkey, 1/3 cup Chicken Stock, 3 cups Water, and 1 tsp. Worcestershire to a rolling boil. Once it has started to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about an hour.
6. After an hour, add 2 spring Onions, 3 Brussels Sprouts, 2 tbsp. Bacon Fat, and Salt and Pepper to taste. Let it simmer for about 30-45 minutes more.
7. Using an immersion blender, blend the gravy together so that everything turns into a thicker sauce.
8. Return the gravy to the saucepan and keep on low heat. This is where I split my gravy in half. My family likes their own version of gravy (by adding a pre-packaged mix into this), but I don’t. If you are going to use the whole thing, make sure you double the spices that go inside.
9. About 20 minutes before the turkey will be ready, add 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme, 1 Bay Leaf, 1/4 tsp. Rosemary, and 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream to the gravy. Bring it to a rolling boil and continuously stir it as it reduces.
10. Once your gravy is almost the consistency you want (about half of it should be reduced), add 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum and mix well. It should thicken up.
11. Remove turkey from the oven and let rest. Pour extra drippings into gravy for a thicker sauce.
12. You can also make brussels sprouts and bacon to serve on the side (they’re delicious).
13. Plate it all and serve it up!