All-Purpose Gravy

After running around for two days and preparing a big holiday meal I don't seem to have the energy or time to make gravy. I just want to get off my feet and feed. ATK to the rescue with a gravy recipe that you can make ahead of time. No turkey giblets required.

All-Purpose Gravy

This gravy can be served with almost any type of meat or poultry or with mashed potatoes. If you would like to double the recipe, use a Dutch oven to give the vegetables ample space for browning and increase the cooking times by roughly 50 percent.

The finished gravy can be frozen. To thaw either a single or double recipe, place the gravy and 1 tablespoon of water in a saucepan over low heat and bring slowly to a simmer. The gravy may appear broken or curdled as it thaws, but a vigorous whisking will recombine it.

Makes 2 cups

1	small carrot , peeled and chopped into rough 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
1	small rib celery , chopped into rough 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
1	small onion , chopped into rough 1/2-inch pieces (about 3/4 cup)
3	tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4	cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2	cups low-sodium chicken broth
2	cups low-sodium beef broth
1	bay leaf
1/4	teaspoon dried thyme
5	whole black peppercorns
	Table salt and ground black pepper

1. In food processor, pulse carrot until broken into rough 1/4-inch pieces, about five 1-second pulses. Add celery and onion; pulse until all vegetables are broken into 1/8-inch pieces, about five 1-second pulses.

2. Heat butter in large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat; when foaming subsides, add vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and well browned, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Whisking constantly, gradually add broths; bring to boil, skimming off any foam that forms on surface. Reduce heat to medium-low and add bay leaf, thyme, and peppercorns; simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced to 3 cups, 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Strain gravy through fine-mesh strainer into clean saucepan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Serve hot.