Thanksgiving Roast Turkey W/Herb Butter and Caramelized Onion-Ba

Ingredients

For Turkey

• 16-18 lbs turkey, neck and giblets reserved for gravy
• fresh rosemary sprig (optional)
• fresh sage sprigs (optional)
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons orange peel, grated
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 4 teaspoons salt

For Gravy

• 5 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 large onions, halved, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. 2

   Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Place on rack in roasting pan. Sprinkle cavities with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   If not stuffing turkey, place rosemary and sage sprigs in main cavity. If stuffing turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into main cavity.

4. 4

   Melt butter in saucepan. Mix in chopped rosemary, sage, orange peel, pepper and salt. Brush herb butter over turkey.

5. 5

   Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together to hold shape. Roast turkey 1 hour. Baste with pan juices. Continue roasting turkey until thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180°F, basting every 20 minutes, about 2 3/4 hours longer if unstuffed or about 3 1/4 hours longer if stuffed.

6. 6

   Meanwhile, prepare gravy: Combine turkey neck and giblets, 5 1/2 cups broth, quartered onion and bay leaf in saucepan. Simmer until reduced to 3 cups liquid, skimming occasionally, about 1 hour.

7. 7

   Strain turkey stock.

8. 8

   Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.

9. 9

   Add sliced onions; saute 10 minutes.

10. 10

    Add 1 tablespoon rosemary and 1 tablespoon sage and saute until onions are golden, about 10 minutes.

11. 11

    Add flour; stir 1 minute. Gradually whisk in turkey stock.

12. 12

    Boil until gravy thickens, stirring often, about 3 minutes.

13. 13

    Add 1 teaspoon each rosemary and sage.

14. 14

    Transfer turkey to platter. Tent with foil. Pour juices from pan into large glass measuring cup; spoon off fat.

15. 15

    Add juices to gravy.

16. 16

    Add vinegar to roasting pan. Bring vinegar to simmer over medium heat, scraping up browned bits.

17. 17

    Pour mixture into heavy small saucepan. Boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 3 minutes; add to gravy.

18. 18

    Rewarm gravy; thin with more chicken broth, if desired. Season with salt and pepper.