- 1 10- to 12-pound turkey, backbone removed and saved for stock for gravy (if making your own)
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In a large brining bag or in a large stock pot, add apple cider, kosher salt, bay leaves, onion and peppercorns. Add the turkey to brine and cover with water. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 450°F and align a rack in the lower third of the oven.
Remove the bird from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Coat the entire turkey with melted butter, salt, pepper and fresh thyme.
In a roasting pan fitted with a rack, fill the bottom of pan with cut apples, celery, onions and lemon quarters; season with salt and pepper. Set the rack on top of the vegetables and place turkey breast side facing up on top of the rack. Drizzle with EVOO and place into the oven. Check on the turkey after 40 minutes and tent with foil if getting too dark. Roast until the turkey reaches 160 degrees, about an hour and a half. Set aside to rest.
For the stuffing, cook sausage in a large sauté pan until brown, crumbling with a potato masher. Remove to a large mixing bowl and add the stuffing mixture. In the same pan, melt butter; add onion, celery and apples to cook until tender and fragrant. Add thyme, parsley, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, and cook until translucent about 5- 7 minutes. Add to the cornbread mixture along with turkey stock and mix until bread is fully moistened. Transfer mixture to a buttered casserole dish and top with additional melted butter. Bake at 325°F for 30 minutes or until stuffing is golden brown.
For the gravy, add butter to a pan and swirl pan off burner to melt. Return to heat season with pepper and add flour. Once fragrant, nutty and medium brown in color, whisk in wine, stock, turkey drippings and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until thickened.
For the Homemade Turkey Stock:
In a medium saucepot, combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 45-60 minutes, until reduced and flavorful.
Serve with Boursin potatoes and shallot green beans.