Make Ahead Turkey & Gravy

Prep: 4-1/2 hours + freezing ... 1 hour ... Makes: 12 servings (2-1/2 cups gravy)

This do-ahead turkey is cooked , sliced and ready to serve whenever you need it . It's a turkey day blessing .

TURKEY:
1 ...............turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
2 ............... teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 ...............teaspoon pepper
3 ...............cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 ............cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 ............cup lemon juice
1 ...............tablespoon minced  fresh rosemary  or 1 ...............teaspoon dried rosemary , crushed
2 ...............teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 ...............garlic cloves , minced

FOR SERVING:
1-1/2 ........cups reduce-sodium chicken broth
1 ..............tablespoon butter
1 ..............tablespoon  all-purpose flour

1.      Preheat oven to 325* . Sprinkle  turkey with poultry seasoning  and pepper . Tuck wings  under turkey ; tie  drumsticks  together . Place on rack  in roast pan , breast side up.
2.      Roast , uncovered  , 30 minutes . In a 4-cup measuring cup , mix remaining  turkey ingredients ; carefully pour  over turkey . Roast uncovered  3 to 3-1/2 hours  or until a thermometer inserted  in thigh  reads 180* , basting occasionally  with broth mixture . Cover loosely  with foil  if turkey  browns too quickly .
3.       Remove turkey  from roasting pan ; let stand  at least 20 minutes  before carving . Skim far from cooking juices .
4.       Carve turkey ; place in shallow  freezer containers . Pour strained juices  over turkey ; cool completely . Freeze covered  up to 3 months .
5.       To serve , partially thaw  turkey  in refrigerator  overnight . Preheat oven to 350* . Transfer  turkey  and cooking juices  to a baking dish ; pour broth over turkey . Bake  cover  50to 60 minutes  or until a thermometer reads 165*.
6 .       Remove turkey  from baking dish , reserving cooking liquid  ; keep warm . In a saucepan , melt butter ; stir in flour  until smooth . Gradually whisk in cooking  liquid . Bring  to a boil , stirring constantly ; cook 2 minutes or until thickened . Serve with turkey .
TIP:
By seasoning , roasting  and carving your bird in advance , you save more than 3 hours  and coveted oven space  on the day of the feast.
Heart healthy