Best 20 Apple Gravy Recipes

BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• To brine the turkey: Combine all of the ingredients for the brine in a large container. Add the turkey and let it brine in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
• To prepare the turkey for cooking: Remove the turkey from the brine the night before roasting and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. Combine the rosemary, sage, and butter for the herb crust in a small bowl. Season, to taste, with kosher salt. Work the butter under the skin of the turkey and massage it into the breasts and the legs. Massage the butter on the outside of the skin as well. Tie the legs together over the breast so they will protect it during cooking and help keep it moist and juicy.
• Gravy preparation: Put the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Arrange the turkey on top of the veggies and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Make sure that there is no raw food near the turkey in the refrigerator. After refrigerating overnight, the turkey is ready to go in the oven.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Put 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup apple cider in the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until the skin gets really nice and brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan, if needed. Cook about 17 minutes per pound. Once it gets to the proper color, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too dark.
• Remove the turkey from the oven when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the turkey registers 160 degrees F. Make sure that the thermometer is not touching a bone when doing the reading. When the turkey has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the roasting pan to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
• Strain all the veggies over a bowl to separate them from the stock/mixture. Discard the veggies. Skim off the fat and add it to the roasting pan. This is the fat for the roux. Put the roasting pan over 2 burners and over a low heat and whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup apple cider, remaining chicken stock and the stock/cider mixture. Cook until the mixture has thickened and reached a gravy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into a serving pitcher or bowl.
• Carve the turkey, transfer to a serving platter and serve with the gravy.
• Give thanks for such a great turkey!!!

PAN-FRIED PORK CHOPS WITH APPLE AND PEPPER GRAVY

Steps:

• Mix apple cider, oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Trim pork chops of fat and place into mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Remove pork chops from marinade; reserve marinade and set aside.
• Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops in the hot pan until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
• While the pork chops are cooking, marinate apple, bell peppers, and onion in the reserved marinade for 10 minutes.
• Add marinated apple to the pork chops; cook until brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the rest of the marinade, peppers, and onion into the pan and let simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove the pork chops, apples, and peppers from the pan and place in a serving dish.
• Mix flour and milk with the remaining liquid in the pan; simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the gravy on top of the pork chops.

WHAT A FACE! OPEN FACED HOT TURKEY SAMMYS WITH SAUSAGE STUFFING AND GRAVY, SMASHED POTATOES WITH BACON, WARM APPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a medium skillet over medium high heat.
• Place potatoes in a medium pot. Cut larger potatoes in half. Leave smaller baby potatoes whole. Cover potatoes with water and top with a lid. Place over high heat. When the water boils, salt water and cook potatoes with the lid off pot for 10 to 11 minutes, until tender.
• Place a second low pot on the stove top over medium-high heat. Add apple sauce and canned cranberry sauce. Stir to combine and gently heat through, about 10 minutes.
• Toast 2 slices whole grain bread and butter heavily, 1/2 tablespoon per slice. Chop into small cubes and reserve.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil and sausage meat to hot skillet. Brown and crumble the sausage with a wooden spoon or heat safe spatula. Add onions and celery to the skillet then season with poultry seasoning and salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes. Add bread to the skillet and stir to combine. Dampen the stuffing with chicken stock and turn to combine. Turn off heat and cover pan loosely with foil to hold heat.
• Preheat a second skillet over medium heat to prepare turkey and gravy.
• Drain cooked potatoes and return to hot pot. Smash with sour cream, butter and crisped, chopped bacon. Season the smashed potatoes with salt and pepper. If they are too thick, thin them out with milk or a splash of broth.
• Add 2 tablespoons butter to preheated skillet and melt it. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in 2 cups stock or broth. Add the poultry seasoning, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the gravy. Allow it to thicken slightly.
• Cut roasted turkey meat away from the breast bones of rotisserie turkey breast. If you are using deli turkey, remove from packaging and separate slices. Set turkey into gravy.
• Place a bread slice on dinner plate. Use a large ice cream scoop to place a mound of stuffing on the bread. Place turkey on top of stuffing. Serve smashed potatoes and cranberries on the side. Spoon the extra gravy over potatoes and turkey sandwiches. Sprinkle the plates with chopped parsley or chives and serve.

CROWN ROAST OF PORK WITH APPLE AND PORK STUFFING AND CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Make pork:
• Position pork atop 9- to 10-inch-diameter tart pan bottom. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Brush pork with oil. Combine salt, sugar, thyme, sage and pepper in small bowl. Rub spice mixture over pork. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Fill pork cavity with enough stuffing to mound in center. Cover tips of pork bones with foil. Roast pork 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325°F. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into center of pork meat registers 150°F, about 1 hour 50 minutes. Remove foil from bones. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into center of pork and stuffing registers 155°F, about 15 minutes longer. Carefully transfer roast atop tart pan bottom to platter.
• Make gravy:
• Add 1 cup broth to baking sheet and scrape up browned bits from bottom of baking sheet. Pour juices into 2-cup glass measuring cup; freeze 15 minutes. Spoon fat off top of pan juices. Transfer pan juices to medium saucepan. Add remaining 1/2 cup beef broth and apple cider. Bring to boil. Dissolve cornstarch into applejack in small bowl; whisk into broth mixture. Boil until gravy thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer gravy to sauceboat.
• Carve roast between bones to separate chops. Serve with stuffing and gravy.

APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add apple; saute until dark brown, adding 1 teaspoon butter to prevent scorching. Remove from heat; add brandy. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan., Add broth and salt. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Using a blender or an immersion blender, puree apple mixture. Return to saucepan; simmer until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Remove from heat. Whisk in remaining butter. If desired, add pepper.

PORK MEDALLIONS WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Sprinkle pork slices evenly with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add pork; cook 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink in center. Remove pork to plate; cover to keep warm.
• In same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually add cider and broth; cook 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in chopped rosemary and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Serve pork with cider gravy. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

APPLE CIDER-BRINED TURKEY WITH SAVORY HERB GRAVY

Steps:

• To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan, bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely.
• Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse Turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerat for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees:.
• Remove turkey from bags and discard bring, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsely, onion, and broth in the botom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down on roastick rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 500% for 30 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meat party of thigh registers 170 degrees. Remove turkey from oven; let stand20 minutes. Reserve pan drippings for Savory Herb Gravy.
• Directions for Gravy:.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add turkey neck and giblets; cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Add water and next 7 ingredients (through bay leaf); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is reduced to about 2 1/2 cups (about 1 hours). Strain through a colander over a bowl, reserving cooking liquid and turkey neck. Discard remaining solids. Chill cooking liquid completely.Skim fat from surface, and discard. Remove meat from neck; finely chop meat. Discard neck bone. Add neck meat to cooking liquid.
• Strain the reserved turkey drippings throug a colander over a shallow bowl; discard solids. Place strained drippings in freezer for 20 minutes. Skim fat from surface; discard.
• Place flour in a medium saucepan; add 1/4 cup cooking liquid, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add remaining cooking liquid, turkey drippings, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

ROAST TURKEY WITH APPLE-CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• In a pot large enough to hold the turkey, combine all of the brine ingredients and stir. Add the turkey to the pot, cover, and refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours. Remove the turkey from the pot, discard the brine, and rinse the turkey thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
• Combine the onion, celery, apple, parsnip, quince, herbs, and spices in a bowl and toss. Spoon into the cavity of the turkey.
• Truss the turkey, tying its legs together tightly with kitchen twine. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set in a large roasting pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, place in the oven, and roast for 2 1/2 hours.
• Uncover the turkey and reserve the foil. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Brush the turkey with half of the melted butter and cook for 30 minutes. Brush on the remaining butter and continue cooking for about 1 hour and 15 minutes longer, basting every 30 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 150 degrees. (The internal temperature will rise 10 degrees while the turkey rests).
• Transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Pour off the fat from the roasting pan. Spoon the vegetables from the cavity of the turkey into the pan; cover the turkey loosely with the reserved foil, and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the gravy: Add the butter to the roasting pan with the vegetables. Place the pan over medium heat, using 2 burners if necessary. Use a wooden spoon to stir and brown the vegetables lightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cider, bring to a boil, and cook until reduced and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the turkey drippings. Transfer the gravy to a 3-quart saucepan, add the chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the gravy has thickened, about 10 minutes. Pour any juices that have accumulated around the turkey into the pan and continue cooking for 1 more minute. Season with the salt and pepper. Strain the gravy into a warm sauceboat.
• Carve the turkey and serve with gravy.

CALVADOS (APPLE BRANDY) GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the sugar in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Place over medium heat, and cook until sugar is golden (do not stir).
• Carefully add cider, stirring constantly (mixture will bubble vigorously).
• Stir in brandy; cook 1 minute.
• Add broth, lemon juice, nutmeg and salt.
• Combine water and cornstarch, stirring with a wire whisk; add to the gravy. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

BAKED PORK CHOPS & APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• 1.Preheat oven to 350°F.
• 2.Add pork chops to skillet and brown over medium heat.
• 3.Season with salt and pepper.
• 4.Place pork chops in large ceramic casserole dish.
• 5.Add flour, salt, pepper, catsup, chicken stock, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and applesauce to skillet with pork juices.
• 6.Stir until thickened and smooth.
• 7.Place sliced onions and apples on pork chops.
• 8.Pour applesauce mixture over pork chops.
• 9.Bake 45 minutes or until done.

APPLE BOURBON GRAVY WITH PORK LOIN ROAST

Steps:

• 1. To make the Pork Roast-PREHEAT OVEN TO 450 DEGREES F. Combine all of the spices in a small bowl then sprinkle liberally over the entire roast. Spray a shallow baking pan with non stick cooking spray, add roast and roast for 15 minutes. This locks in the moistness. LOWER TEMPERATURE to 275 degrees F. and continue to roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F. when tested with a meat thermometer. Remove from oven and allow to rest about 15 minutes, temperature will continue to rise to about 165 degrees F. Then carve, I prefer using an electric knife for easier carving.
• 2. Blend the 3 marinade ingredients together until the sugar dissolves, & set aside till needed.To Make the gravy. In a medium size sauce pan, melt the butter.
• 3. Add in the flour, and stir until flour blend together with the melted butter, making a thick paste like consistency.
• 4. Whisk the paste mixture together.
• 5. Add in the Apple Bourbon marinade
• 6. Whisk briskly to eliminate any lumps, and continue to stir over medium high heat.
• 7. Add in the steak seasoning and chive if desired. Taste first, and add spice according to taste buds.
• 8. Serve with your favorite Roast or poultry, great over mashed potatoes too. NOTE: THERE IS NO REASON TO BE INTIMIDATED WHEN MAKING THIS SIMPLE EASY TASTY AND DELICIOUS GRAVY if you follow the easy step by step instructions.

TURKEY ROULADE WITH APPLE-CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the turkey breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 3/4-inch. Set aside while stuffing is prepared.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the cranberries in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat, drain and reserve. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook, stirring, until onions are golden but not charred, about 12 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add bread, cranberries, pecans, 2 tablespoons fresh or 2 teaspoons dried sage and 1/2 to 3/4-cup chicken stock, depending upon consistency of stuffing; (you want the mixture to be moistened, but not too wet, since the turkey will release moisture when cooked). Cook over low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes, remove from heat.
• Salt and pepper the inside and outside of the turkey breast. Spread the stuffing on the turkey, leaving about 1 1/2 to 2-inches uncovered on all sides. Roll up and secure tightly with kitchen twine, trying to keep all stuffing intact.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large Dutch oven or medium-sized roasting pan until hot. Sear stuffed turkey breast on all sides until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add sliced onion and 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, cover tightly and roast in the oven until turkey reaches 160 degrees F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into inner layer of meat, about 60 to 65 minutes. Remove the turkey breast from oven and transfer to a cutting board to rest.
• Make the gravy: Add apple cider, 1/2 cup chicken stock, vinegar and remaining sage to the onions, chicken stock and juices in the roasting pan, bring to a boil and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by 1/3. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly, and cook for 3 minutes more. The gravy should not be thick, just slightly thicker than a jus. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Makes 1 1/2 cups gravy.
• Remove twine from turkey breast and slice into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces. Serve with gravy.

CIDER-BASTED TURKEY WITH ROASTED APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• For turkey:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F
• Combine first 5 ingredients in small saucepan.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; bring liquid to boil.
• Set liquid aside.
• Mix 2 quartered apples, onion, thyme, sage leaves and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in large bowl.
• Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry.
• Sprinkle main cavity with salt and pepper.
• Spoon apple mixture into main cavity.
• Tuck wing tips under turkey; tie legs together loosely.
• Place turkey in large roasting pan.
• Rub turkey breast and legs with butter.
• Pour half of basting liquid over turkey.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast turkey 30 minutes.
• Pour remaining basting liquid over turkey.
• Roast 2 hours, basting frequently with pan juices and adding 1 cup (or more) water to pan if juices have evaporated.
• Add all apple slices to pan juices around turkey.
• Cover turkey loosely with foil to keep from browning too quickly.
• Continue to roast until apples are tender, turkey is deep brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting frequently with pan juices, about 1 hour 30 minutes longer.
• Transfer turkey to platter.
• Tent loosely with foil; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature of turkey will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
• For gravy:
• Using slotted spoon, transfer apples from pan juices to bowl.
• Pour pan juices into 4-cup measuring cup.
• Spoon off fat and discard.
• Add enough chicken broth to pan juices to measure 4 cups.
• Transfer broth mixture to large saucepan; simmer 5 minutes.
• Add reserved apples; simmer 2 minutes.
• Mix apple cider and cornstarch in small bowl.
• Whisk into gravy.
• Boil until gravy thickens, about 2 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Discard mixture from turkey cavity.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

APPLE-SAUSAGE GRAVY BOATS

Steps:

• Cut bread into six 4-inch pieces. Hollow out an oval shape in the top of each piece; scoop out some of the bread inside with your fingers or a spoon and discard. Set bread "boats" aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and apple. Cook, breaking up sausage with a spoon, until crumbly and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the sausage mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until it has been absorbed by the fat, about 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and gradually pour in 2 cups milk and apple juice; bring to a simmer. Stir and simmer until gravy thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. If gravy is too thick, add more milk to thin it out to your desired consistency. Stir in Dijon and season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the sausage gravy into the bread boats, allowing some to spill over the sides.

CIDER-BASTED TURKEY AND APPLE GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Combine basting ingredients (1st 5 ingredients) in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Then set it aside.
• Remove giblets and neck from inside turkey.
• Place apples, onion thyme, and sage into turkey.
• Rub breasts and legs with butter and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
• Pour 1/2 of the basting liquid over turkey.
• Place in oven to roast for 30 minutes.
• Pour remaining liquid over turkey and roast 2 more hours, basting frequently.
• Add water if needed.
• Add apple slices to pan juices around turkey.
• Cover turkey and roast another 1 1/2 hours.
• For gravy: Transfer apples from pan to a bowl.
• Spoon off fat from pan juices.
• Add enough chicken broth to measure 4 cups.
• Add broth and apples to saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Mix apple cider and corn starch in a small bowl.
• Whisk corn starch mixture into gravy.
• Season with salt and pepper.

ORANGE- AND MUSTARD-BASTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER-MUSTARD GRAVY

Steps:

• For turkey:
• Mix first 6 ingredients in small bowl. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Place on rack set in large roasting pan. Rub inside of main cavity and neck cavity with orange quarters (reserve orange quarters); sprinkle with salt and pepper. Rub herb butter over outside of turkey. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 350°F. If not stuffing turkey, fill main cavity and neck cavity with orange quarters, onion, garlic, celery, thyme sprigs, and sage sprigs. If stuffing turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into both cavities. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together loosely to hold shape. Mix orange juice and Dijon mustard in small bowl; pour into pan around turkey. Place turkey in oven with tail at back. Roast turkey 45 minutes. Add 2 cups broth to pan; baste turkey. Turn pan around. Roast turkey 45 minutes. Add 1 cup broth; baste with pan juices. Turn pan around and cover turkey loosely with foil. Continue to roast until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting with 1 cup broth and rotating pan every 45 minutes, about 1 hour 45 minutes longer if unstuffed and 2 hours 15 minutes longer if stuffed. Transfer turkey to platter; let stand 30 minutes (internal temperature will increase 5 to 10 degrees).
• For gravy:
• Strain pan juices into 8-cup measuring cup. Spoon off fat. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add flour and stir until golden, about 5 minutes. Whisk in apple and all remaining ingredients, then pan juices. Bring gravy to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until gravy thickens, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper.
• Serve turkey with gravy.

APPLE CIDER-BRINED TURKEY WITH SAVORY HERB GRAVY

Steps:

• Preparation To prepare brine, combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely. Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for Savory Herb Gravy. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Stuff body cavity with orange quarters. Place a turkey-sized oven bag inside a second bag to form a double thickness. Place bags in a large stockpot. Place turkey inside inner bag. Add cider mixture and ice. Secure bags with several twist ties. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 500º. Remove turkey from bags, and discard brine, orange quarters, and bags. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Tie legs together with kitchen string. Place garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, onion, and broth in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place roasting rack in pan. Arrange turkey, breast side down, on roasting rack. Brush turkey back with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 500º for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350º. Remove turkey from oven. Carefully turn turkey over (breast side up) using tongs. Brush turkey breast with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 350º for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 170º (make sure not to touch bone). (Shield the turkey with foil if it browns too quickly.) Remove turkey from oven; let stand 20 minutes. Reserve pan drippings for Savory Herb Gravy. Discard skin before serving; serve with gravy.

APPLE BUTTER & ONION GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter. Stir in flour and seasonings. Whisk cornstarch and chicken stock until smooth; gradually stir into onion mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool slightly., Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Return all to pan and heat through. Stir in cream cheese and apple butter; cook and stir just until blended.

GUY COOKS WITH KIDS: JESSIE'S PORK LOIN WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• For the onions and apples: Saute the onions in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat in the butter for 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the apples. Add in the sage, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, salt, pepper and apple juice, and then squeeze the lemon half into the mixture. Cook and gently stir until the apple juice is reduced and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach to the mixture, cover the pan and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. You don't want to overcook the spinach, just wilt it. Taste for seasoning.
• For the pork: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place an oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat and melt 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper and, with tongs, place the loin in the hot butter. Brown the pork thoroughly on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes total.
• Top the pork with the sage leaves, thyme (be careful as the thyme might crackle) and garlic. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and place in the oven. Cook the pork 20 to 30 minutes, but make sure to not overcook. The internal temperature should read 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer. (If you are concerned about overcooking, turn the oven onto warm while finishing the rest of the dish.) Transfer the pork to a platter, tent with some foil and let rest. Remove the whole leaves from the saute pan.
• For the gravy: In the pan you browned the pork, melt the butter over medium to medium-high heat. Sprinkle the flour into the hot pan juices and whisk together to make a roux. Continue to whisk and cook the roux until turns light brown, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the apple cider and continue to stir. Pour in chicken broth and boil the mixture until the gravy is thick, 5 to 7 minutes depending on desired thickness. Squeeze the lemon half into the mixture. Taste for seasoning (salt, pepper, etc). Sprinkle in the torn tarragon leaves. Finish by whisking in the cream.
• To serve: Divide the onion-apple saute among 4 plates. Slice the pork and divide over the onion-apple saute. Cover the pork with gravy. Garnish with some thyme and a wedge of lemon. Serve with cous cous and asparagus.

BRINED HERB-CRUSTED TURKEY WITH APPLE CIDER GRAVY

Steps:

• Brine Combine ingredients for brine. Add turkey and let it brine in refrigerator 2 to 3 days. Turkey Remove turkey from brine the night before and pat dry. Combine rosemary, sage, and butter for herb crust. Salt to taste. Work butter under turkey skin and massage on outside of skin. Tie legs over breast. Gravy Put the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and thyme in a roasting pan and season with salt. Arrange the turkey on top of the veggies and refrigerate overnight UNCOVERED! Yes, that's right, uncovered. This will help the skin dry out and become really brown and crispy. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put 2 cups chicken stock and 1 cup apple cider in the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast until skin gets brown, about 40 minutes. Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so and add more stock to the roasting pan, if needed. Cook about 17 minutes per pound. Once it gets to the proper color, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too dark. Cook until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove from roasting pan to a cutting board and let rest for at least least 30 minutes. Cover loosely with aluminum foil. Strain all the veggies over a bowl to separate them from the stock/mixture. Discard the veggies. Skim off the fat and add it to the roasting pan. This is the fat for the roux. Put the roasting pan over 2 burners and over a low heat and whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup apple cider, remaining chicken stock and the stock/cider mixture. Cook until the mixture has thickened and reached a gravy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour into a serving pitcher or bowl.