Gravy

[Sacrifice]

This Saturday I smoked a 13.5 pound all natural turkey which I had brined (salt, maple syrup, pepper, lots of garlic) for 14 hours.  On the menu was also cornbread, homemade ice cream, cookies, an eggless, milkless, butterless cake, and the most important item – mashed potatoes.  

One thing I enjoy when cooking turkey is gravy made from the drippings from the turkey.  Gravy is especially necessary when I do mashed potatoes.  In order to get some flavor for the gravy, I decided to try using the drippings that collected in the bowl of the smoker.  

After all the pucks were depleted, about 5 hours, I cleaned the bowl and filled it ¼ full of water.  I also made sure that I cleaned the smoke unit where any puck ashes were.  Then I just let the turkey smoke at 210 degrees and hoped that the stuff collecting in the bowl would be worth the effort.

The entire turkey took 7 hours to cook to 170 (breast temp).  I let the turkey rest for 20 minutes while cleaning and finishing the rest of the meal.  I separated the liquid from the fat in the bowl, now half full, and added it to the gravy base (flour, butter, milk, cream (healthy stuff)).  I also scraped a bit of the drippings off the drip tray and added that.  
I must say that this was the best gravy I have EVER had.  The smoke flavor was present but light and pleasant.  The salt, from the brine, was just enough that I did not need to add any more salt to the gravy.  The turkey flavor was just right.  I would urge anyone that likes gravy from any meat to try doing this.

Just a note – the turkey was excellent.  
The only problem with having a Bradley is that my poor BBQ is just sitting in the rain rusting away [8D].

[BigSmoker]

This question has come up several times before I do believe.  Looks like you have come up with a great way to make the gravy[8D].  Thanks.

Jeff



Some say BBQ is in your blood, if thats true my blood must be BBQ sauce.

[Habanero Smoker]

Ditto on the Thanks.

I'll have to try to make gravy the next time I smoke a turkey.

[Phone Guy]

My mouth is watering.[:p] I need to try this.

[Chez Bubba]

Might I suggest getting an extra water bowl? One for puck juice & one for gravy? That's what I'm doing next since your suggestion![:p]

Kirk

http://www.chezbubba.com
Ya think next time I check into a hotel & they ask "Smoking or Non?" they would mind?