| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 178 | 8g | 4g | 9g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 2g | 16g | 1.2g |
The first time I crafted the Thyme Infused Turkey Gravy, I felt a shiver of excitement tingle my Cuban and Spanish roots. It was a unique amalgamation of the traditional turkey gravy we all know and love, infused with a hint of the familiar Caribbean flavor that Miami knows so well. This fresh, fruit-based spin on the classic takes the gravy game to a whole new level, making it a beloved recipe in my tropical culinary repertoire.
A Twist to the Traditional
You might initially wonder about the association between a tropical-inspired recipe and a traditional holiday staple like turkey gravy. But isn’t that the beauty of food? It transcends borders, blending cultures and appetites together. Just as I love mixing my salsa steps with contemporary moves in my dance classes, I adore adding innovative twists to tried-and-true classics in my kitchen. And that’s why a Thyme Infused Turkey Gravy is the epitome of a cultural culinary mashup that delights the palate.
While a classic turkey gravy consists of turkey drippings, flour, and seasonings, this recipe introduces fruit into the broth, subtly sweetening the savory Turkey carcass. Sweet overtones from the fruit balance the familiar saltiness, culminating in a harmony of flavors that dances (very much like the salsa!) across your taste buds.
Perfect Complement to Various Dishes
Thyme Infused Turkey Gravy is much more flexible than it might initially seem. While it pairs superbly with a traditional turkey dish, its unique flavor profile allows it to complement other entreés as well. Imagine it drizzled over grilled chicken or a roast leg of lamb. Perhaps you’d like it spooned over mashed potatoes or even a slice of sourdough bread. Its ability to enhance a wide range of dishes makes it a must-have in any gourmet’s kitchen repertoire.
This gravy is also remarkably similar to the French ‘au jus,’ a broth served as a side to roasted meat. Hence, if you’re a fan of this type of recipe, my Thyme Infused Turkey Gravy might just be your new favorite twist.
Sharing Health and Happiness
This recipe isn’t just a burst of flavors; it also offers several health benefits. Thyme, the star of this recipe, is a rich source of Vitamin C and a good source of Vitamin A, both known to boost our immune system. It also contains dietary fiber, and minerals like iron, manganese, copper, and calcium. The inclusion of vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery infuse the gravy with an additional nutrition payload.
Creating and sharing this Thyme Infused Turkey Gravy recipe is an expression of my passion for food, seasoned with a sprinkle of my heritage. I couldn’t be more excited to share this dish with you, hoping it’ll bring joy to your family feasts the same way it did to mine. Here’s to the joy and health of food, from my kitchen to yours!
What You’ll Need
- 1 whole turkey carcass
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Place the turkey carcass into a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the carrots, onions, celery, minced garlic, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf to the pot.
Step Two
Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring that the carcass and vegetables are completely submerged. If necessary, add additional broth or water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step Three
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer. Leave it to simmer for 3-4 hours. During this time, the flavors from the vegetables, herbs and turkey carcass will infuse into the broth.
Step Four
After it has simmered, strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl, discarding the turkey bones and vegetables. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the broth.
Step Five
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook this mixture, stirring constantly, until it turns a light, golden sandy color.
Step Six
Slowly whisk the broth into the flour and butter mixture, making sure there are no lumps. Bring this gravy to a simmer, and continue to cook it, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, or until it has thickened.
Step Seven
Season the gravy with salt and pepper according to taste. Keep the gravy warm until it’s ready to serve with your turkey. Enjoy your Thyme Infused Turkey Gravy!
