Carol L. Cain
Roast Turkey
With Chestnut Stuffing 2 pounds fresh chestnuts or three 8-ounce jars roasted whole chestnuts 1 cup butter 2 medium onions, chopped 1½ cups chopped celery with leaves 1½ tablespoons sage 2 teaspoons thyme 2 teaspoons pepper 2 1-pound loaves white bread, cute into cubes salt (but we never add salt) Cut an "X" on 1 side of each fresh chestnut with small sharp knife. Cook whole fresh chestnuts in large saucepan of simmering water 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove 1 chestnut from water using slotted spoon. Grasp in dish towel. Using small sharp knife, peel off chestnut shell and inner dark skin. Repeat with remaining chestnuts. Coarsely chop chestnuts. Melt half the butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, celery, herbs and pepper and saute until tender. Put bread in large bowl. Pour onion mixture over. Melt ¼ cup butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add chestnuts and saute until golden brown. Add to bread mixture. Melt remaining half of the butter in same skillet. Pour over bread and toss well. Season with salt if you wish. Turkey broth 6 cups water Neck, gizzard and heart from 16 pound turkey Bring all ingredients to boil in heavy saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced to 3 cups. Straing. Roast Turkey 1 16-pound turkey ½ cup softened butter Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 8 cup baking dish. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Fill neck cavity looely with some of chestnut stuffing. Fill main cavity loosely with some of stuffing. Sew main cavity closed. Tie legs together. Tuck wings under body. Place turkey breast side up on rack in large roasting pan. Rub butter over turkey. Transfer the remaining stuffing to prepared dish; cover with foil. Roast turkey 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Roast turkey until meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, basting frequently with pan drippings, about 2½ hours. Place stuffing in covered dish in oven during last 45 minutes. Tranfer turkey to platter reserving drippings for gravy. Tent turkey with voil to keep warm. Gravy ½ cup flour 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme salt and pepper to taste Scrape botom of roasting pan to loosen any browned bits. Pour contents of pan into large mesuring cup. Let stand until fat rises to surface. Spoon off fat from measuring cup, reserving half cup. Add 3 cups turkey broth to pan drippings in measureing cup. Pour reserved ½ cup fat into heavy skillet. Cook fat over medium heat until hot. Add flour and cook until golden brown, strirring constantly. Add broth mixture and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until sauce thickens, add thyme, season with salt and pepper.