Why-Is-It-So-Good Gravy

Ingredients for Why-Is-It-So-Good Gravy

• 1.4kg turkey and/or chicken wings, flats and drumettes separated

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 2 heads of garlic, cut in half crosswise

• 2 large shallots, unpeeled, halved

• 1 (4-inch) piece ginger, scrubbed, thickly sliced

• 110g crimini, shiitake, or white button mushrooms, torn into large pieces

• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns, lightly crushed

• 6 tablespoons plain flour

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 120ml amontillado sherry

• 1450ml turkey stock or low-sodium chicken broth, warmed

• 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon MSG

• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 232°C. Toss wings in a large cast-iron skillet with 2 tablespoons oil until coated. Roast, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and starting to crisp, 25–35 minutes.

Remove wings from oven and add garlic, shallots, ginger, mushrooms, peppercorns, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil to pan; toss to coat. Return to oven and roast, tossing halfway through, until wings are deeply browned and crisp and vegetables are browned, 30–40 minutes more.

Meanwhile, mash together flour and butter in a small bowl with your fingers or a fork until homogenous. Set beurre manié aside.

Remove skillet from oven and set on stovetop over medium-high heat. Add sherry and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon, until sherry is almost completely reduced, about 2 minutes.

Scrape wings and aromatics into a medium pot and add parsley and stock. Bring to a low simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently, skimming fat from surface occasionally and turning wings so both sides get a chance to be submerged, until liquid is flavorful, mahogany in colour, and reduced by about one-third, 30–40 minutes.

Fish out wings; discard. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring glass; discard solids. Rinse out pot and pour turkey mixture back in. Bring to a simmer over medium. Whisking constantly, add reserved beurre manié and whisk until completely incorporated. Simmer, whisking often and skimming any foam from surface, until gravy is thick enough to coat a spoon, 6–8 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in vinegar and MSG. Taste gravy and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Do Ahead: Gravy (without vinegar and MSG) can be made 5 days ahead. Let cool, then cover and chill. Reheat over medium until simmering, then add vinegar and MSG.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.