Mashed Potatoes
- Heat oven to 425
- Cut 1/2 inch off the top of the head of garlic to expose the cloves, drizzle with a little oil and wrap in foil. Put in the oven about 35 minutes or until the cloves are light brown, soft, squishy and amazing
- Peel potatoes, cut into similar sized pieces and put into a large pot of water
- Bring to a boil and cook until tender enough to poke a fork into, drain water completely then put potatoes back into the pot on medium heat just to dry them a bit while shaking the pot gently- remove
- Melt butter with cream in a small pot, keep warm
- Use a ricer to squeeze potatoes back into the pot, or mash them directly into the pot - and either use the ricer for the garlic, or mash by hand with the potatoes
- Start adding the butter/cream amazing as you go to get the potatoes as smooth as you want them
- Season to taste with salt & pepper
Cornbread Sausage Stuffing
- Cook sausage in a large pan, breaking up as you go until fully cooked, then remove
- Add about a tablespoon of oil, then the celery & onion - cook until beginning to soften, 3-4 minutes
- Put in butter, allow to melt then add broth and bring to a boil
- Now you can add the stuffing and reserved sausage, mix really well to combine everything, cover with a lid and kill the heat
- Wait 5 minutes and ur good to go
Turkey Gravy
If you're not using the neck & backbone, skip to step 2
- Cut the neck & back bone into 2-3 inch pieces and put into a large pot with a tablespoon of oil over medium high, brown on all sides then remove
- Add another squeeze of oil, then put in the celery, onion and carrot - cook until just beginning to get some color, then add the stock, vermouth, herbs and reserved turkey parts if using
- Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer and cover - cook until reduced by about a 1/3, approx 20 minutes - then strain out the liquid (you can ditch the rest)
- Melt butter in a large pan, sprinkle with flour and mix well until it's a smooth paste - if you have any pan drippings from your turkey, add them now - if not you can start adding the reserved broth a little at a time until it's a thick or thin as you like
- Stir in the garlic and soy, mix well and season to taste with slat & pepper
- Done