Heather says:
Want killer -figuratively, you do keep a sanitary kitchen, right?- dressing, gravy, or mashed potatoes? The secret is in the stock. Before Tom the turkey heads into the oven (or deep fat fryer, just sayin’), remove the neck from the cavity and fearlessly reach up under the neck flap and pull out the bag -o- mysterious bits known as giblets. Don’t worry, we’re not going to chow down on the giblets themselves, we are going to extract the good stuff they bring to the table. Well, except the liver, if you really want to add that to your dressing, that’s your deal, not mine, just don’t tell me about it.
You can use chicken broth, but look even the color is richer.
The ratios I’m giving are for 1 turkey, double everything if you cook two.
Tools needed: large pot, colander, large bowl
Nice to have: Cheese cloth, skimmer
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey neck
- contents of the giblet bag, except the liver (that’s the slimy squishy one)
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 6 peppercorns
- 1 large carrot, scrubbed and cut into chunks
- 2 ribs celery, washed, cut into chunks, with the leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 onion peeled, washed, and cut into quarters
- 6 cups of COLD water
Toss all the turkey bits into your large pot.
Add everything else (this is tough, huh?)
Turn the heat to medium high and bring to a full boil.
Skim off the foam that forms. Then turn the heat down to low and keep it at a simmer for at least one hour, it doesn’t need any attention.
Remove the pot from the heat and pour through 2 layers of cheese cloth, if you don’t have cheese cloth, a seive, strainer or colander will work into your large bowl. You may need to scoop out any bits. For even better stock, gather the corners of the cheese cloth and form a sack. Give it a few minutes to cool off enough to handle, then squeeze every last drop into your large bowl.
Set the stock aside for a moment and scrub out your pot. Whee! That’s fun, isn’t it?
Pour the stock back into the clean pot, bring to a steady simmer (not a roiling boil, but not a few random bubbles) and let the stock cook down until it is half of its original volume.
If you had one turkey, you now have 3 cups of awesome stock to use in your dressing, your gravy, or your mashed potatoes.
After the meal is over, don’t throw out the turkey’s bones. Repeat the same process, with enough water to cover all the bones, use the ratio above to the amount of water used (ie if you use 3 quarts -that’s 12 cups- double the ingredients). Follow the same process and you have the base for an amazing batch of turkey soup for the leftover / picked over bits of turkey.
Alternately cool then freeze in one cup portions for future recipes.
I also use this instead of Better Than Bouillon and water for turkey or chicken noodle soup.
Enjoy!
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Making stock/broth is a fantastic way to extract every little bit of goodness from the turkey. I like to do mine in the slow cooker a lot of times, especially when I have a turkey or chicken carcass to work with. you end up with a nice rich stock with lots of extracted gelatin in it that's great for making gravies and soups
I have to run out and grab some carrots and celery in a bit. I have two more turkey carcasses to cook down. My goal is to try to can some of the stock this year, but I haven't managed to yet.
Great tutorial, Heather. I was at the store this morning and saw assorted turkey parts in the meat case as well as whole turkeys, so that made me think how easy it would be to make sure you have plenty of stock for gravy & dressing (especially if you're hosting gravy fanatics). Just grab a package of turkey wings to add to your pot — they make great stock. You'll have plenty for the holiday meal, and perhaps some left to give you a head start on turkey soup.
(Whenever I'm cooking a turkey, nobody's going to see it before I cut it up, so I clip the wings off before I roast it and simmer those w/giblets)
Whenever I've got one lonely liver from a turkey or chicken, I cook it quickly in my tiny cast iron skillet and give it to my daughter (she likes it and needs the iron!)
That's a fantastic suggestion, thank you!
I made a big batch of stock with turkey wings and thighs this weekend too.
In fact, I make a batch every couple of weeks. Then use the thigh meat for soups, sandwiches, salads, last minute addition to stir frys or cassseroles. Love having real stock on hand.
Your tutorial is wonderful. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Love to try this tonight and give my husband a new serving of food when he comes home. Hope I won't forget anything and make it look and smell yummy.
Anymore "secret" suggestions regarding this recipe? LOL
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Great post! I will be making some too.
Umm Now, the wonderful things come out.
[...] *reserve the back / neck for stock [...]