Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are with those that you love this year. It is one of my favorite holidays for so many reasons: family, friends, cooking, eating, games, and time to thank God for all of our precious and often overlooked gifts in life! We are all so blessed in countless ways!
How do we do this time of year? It is a production! Lots of food, lots of prep, and LOTS of modification on my part. The menu is planned, I know what I am taking (both by request, and by Keto necessity). I just panicked though, when I realized I didn’t have a plan for the gravy! What to do? I have been researching, and I have two ideas for you folks!
If you are doing the turkey, this is the preferred method:
Use your pan drippings! Do NOT use flour. Instead use Xanthan Gum. Just add a little at a time until it had reached the thickness of a roux. Whisk quickly. This is the one I use:
This will act as your thickener and then you can add broth, wine, butter, you choose slowly, all while whisking. Add a few herbs, whisk, and you should have a traditional gravy.
I, however, am not doing the turkey and will prepare the gravy at home because we have all heard the saying, “Too many cooks in the kitchen”. There is so much going on already, and it’s not my kitchen, so I am modifying! Now, I haven’t tried this, so if you are just looking at this after Turkey Day, this would be a go-to for the leftovers, and I will definitely let you know if it doesn’t work.
- Sauté an onion and a few cloves of garlic in LOTS of butter – a whole block of Kerry Gold will do. Keep sautéing until the onions are very limp.
- Next, add your herbs: I like fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, and a bay leaf. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Now add stock, preferable homemade chicken or bone broth. You can add a bit of white wine too. Simmer over medium low heat until mixture is reduced.
- Transfer to a food processor, and process until you have a smooth gravy texture.
- If it still needs thickening, add a touch of Xanthan Gum and you should have a delicious flavorful gravy!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I really like gravy on my turkey!
So what else am I making? That has been the question of the week.
Everything I am taking is listed on this blog except for the veggie tray!
I am taking:
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with garlic and cream cheese
Bacon Brussel Sprouts
A vegetable tray with cilantro dip, ranch dip and spinach dip
Pumpkin Muffins that I have modified into cupcakes by adding cream cheese frosting to the top.
Pumpkin Pie with Whipping Cream
Kerry Gold and Pink Himalayan salt
We will enjoy the turkey, salad, squash and other veggies that other family members are preparing as well. Needless to say, we will have full bellies, full hearts, and count our many blessings!
God bless each of you, and have a safe, happy and very healthy Thanksgiving!
