Maple-Roasted Turkey, Smoky Sage Cornbread Stuffing & Gravy

This recipe was simply too wonderful not to share.A warning, this is a looong and drawn out recipe and it does take some time. It is certainly worth the effort and I'm sure your family will praise you for this feast.

• Ready In: 4 hrs
• Serves: 15

Ingredients

• 1  cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1⁄2 bunch fresh sage leaf, finely chopped
•  kosher salt
•  fresh ground black pepper
• 2  large onions, finely chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 6  cups  cornbread, cubed
• 1  large egg, lightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 1⁄2 cup  chicken stock
• 1 (12 lb)  whole turkey
• 1  cup pure maple syrup
• 1⁄4 cup hot water
• 8  slices smoked bacon
• 3  cups water
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 lemon juice, fresh-squeezed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack.
2. Combine the butter and sage in a mixing bowl, mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated and the butter has flecks of green in it; season with salt and pepper.
3. In a saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the sage butter, add the onions, cook and stir for 15 minutes until soft and golden.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Put the cornbread in a large mixing bowl and scrape the sauteed onion mixture on top.
6. Add the egg, heavy cream, and just enough chicken stock to moisten the stuffing without making it soggy (about 1/2 cup.) Toss well to combine, season with salt and pepper.
7. Remove the neck and gizzards from the inside of the turkey and reserve.
8. Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, pat dry.
9. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper.
10. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the breast and legs, and slip pieces of the sage butter underneath; massaging it in as you go.
11. Fill the bird with the cornbread stuffing without packing too tightly; cook the remaining stuffing separately in a buttered baking dish.
12. Truss the turkey; place it on a rack in a large roasting pan, and put into the oven.
13. Add reserved giblets and crushed garlic to small pan with 3 cups of water, cover and simmer for 3 hours.
14. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup and hot water to thin the glaze out a bit; use this to baste the turkey every 30 minutes.
15. The turkey should take about 3 hours to cook (i. e. 15 to 20 minutes per pound.) If the legs or breast brown too quickly, cover with foil.
16. About 2 hours into cooking, lay the strips of bacon over the turkey breast to cover; Bake remaining stuffing in casserole dish and continue to roast and baste turkey for another hour or so.
17. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F (the thigh juices will also run clear when pricked with a knife.).
18. Transfer the turkey to a platter and let rest for 20 minutes before carving, so the juices can settle back into the meat.
19. Skim off the excess fat from the pan drippings with a spoon and place the roasting pan over 2 burners set on medium-high heat.
20. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits stuck to bottom of pan.
21. Whisk the flour into the drippings, stirring as it thickens to prevent lumps.
22. Remove giblets from small pan and discard (we usually feed them to our cats for their thanksgiving day feast) and add turkey stock to flour mixture and heat until just under the boiling point and gravy thickens.
23. Strain to remove any particles.
24. Serve the gravy with the maple-roasted turkey and cornbread stuffing.