Recipe - Maple-Glazed Roast Turkey With Mixed-Herb Gravy

GRAVY
One half cup All purpose flour
6 tablespoon (Three fourths stick) butter; cut into
pieces
5 cup Canned lowsalt chicken
broth

TURKEY
1 14to15pound turkey
6 cup Herbed Bread; Cracker and
Leek Dressing
2 One half tablespoon Butter; melted
3 One half cup Canned lowsalt chicken
broth
1 tablespoon Pure maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon Ground ginger
3 tablespoon Minced mixed fresh herbs;
(such as parsley, sage,
savory and/or thyme)

In early spring, colonists would tap into sugar maple trees to draw off the
smokysweet syrup, which was a substitute for expensive imported sugar.
Here, the syrup is brushed onto the turkey to add a deep golden finish. New
Englanders liked their gravies rich and dark, and often kept a box of
browned or "scorched" flour on hand to aid in browning, as well as
flavoring and thickening. This delectable gravy borrows that technique. Be
sure to start the gravy early in the day.

For gravy: Toast flour in heavy large skillet over mediumhigh heat until
pale golden (about the color of peanuts), stirring constantly, about 7
minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Add butter and whisk until butter melts
and mixture is smooth (mixture will become very dark). Gradually whisk in
broth. Bring to boil over medium heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat;
simmer until gravy is reduced to 2One half cups, about 30 minutes. (Can be made
8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)

For turkey: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rinse turkey inside and out; discard any
pieces of fat in neck and main cavity. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
Fill neck cavity loosely with bread dressing. Fold skin over and secure
with skewer. Fill main cavity loosely with bread dressing. Place turkey on
rack in large roasting pan. Tie turkey legs together to hold shape. Tuck
wings under turkey. Brush turkey with 1One half tablespoons melted butter.
Sprinkle turkey with salt and pepper. Pour
One half cup broth into roasting pan.

Roast turkey 3 hours, basting with pan juices and adding One half cup broth to
pan every 30 minutes. Mix maple syrup, ginger and 1 tablespoon melted
butter in small bowl; brush mixture over turkey. Continue to roast turkey
until thermometer inserted into innermost part of thigh registers 180°F,
about 15 minutes longer.

Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil and let turkey stand 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, scrape pan juices and any browned bits from roasting pan into
2cup measuring cup. Spoon off and discard fat from surface of juices. Add
juices to gravy. Add herbs and bring to simmer. Season gravy with salt and
pepper.

Serve turkey with dressing and gravy.

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