The Brave New Red Gravy Adventures Of Annaliese

• 1/3-1/2 cups brown bits and pan drippings from a roast such as duck or turkey
• 1/2 cup red wine, pinot noir or malbec recommended
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1 cardamom pod, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground sumac
• 1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika, sweet or smoked
• 1 bay leaf
• kosher or pink Himalayan salt to taste
• fresh milled pepper to taste
• 2 cups homemade stock, (stock that has gelled for you is best)
• 3-4 tablespoons Cornelian cherry or sour cherry jam
• 1-2 tablespoons homemade unsweetened apple sauce with cinnamon (mine from Roxbury Russets)
• lemon zest and lemon juice if needed
• about 2 tablespoons or so of sifted flour

1. After chilling the brown bits and drippings from the roasting pan until the fat rises to the top in solid form, skim off as much fat off the top, as much as you possibly can.
2. Heat the brown bit drippings in a braising pan. Add the red wine and spices, whisking like a dervish. The mini whisk becomes your magic wand. A spooky dark concoction will bubble up in the pan. When reduced by about half the volume, stir in the jam and simmer slowly.
3. When bubbling, pour in the broth. Vigorously simmer; let this reduce. Add strained, homemade applesauce and continue to simmer. Taste the balance. If there is not enough acidity, add lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Strain the liquid, however you are best equipped (chinois,cheesecloth, sieve). You can see my primitive method in one photo. Wring out the flavors by pressing with a wooden spoon. Return to a simmer in the pan. Season again.
4. Depending upon how thick and velvety the gravy is becoming, sift in some flour to finish and thicken to your liking over medium high heat. This may approximate 2 tablespoons, more or less. If by some chance you want this thin, you could leave the flour out, but I think it also helps temper the intensity of the flavors. When thick enough, test for taste; season if needed. When just right, transfer to a gravy boat and sail on to the table. My version yielded just over one cup.

brown bits, red wine, ginger, cardamom, ground sumac, paprika, bay leaf, kosher, pepper, homemade stock, cornelian cherry, apple sauce, lemon zest, flour

Taken from food52.com/recipes/7455-the-brave-new-red-gravy-adventures-of-annaliese (may not work)