Effortless Gravy with Cranberry Sauce

The addition of store-bought whole-berry cranberry sauce to a basic recipe for turkey gravy ensures that first-time gravy makers will end up with a sauce that has both depth of flavor and color.

3-1/2 tablespoons pan drippings from a roasted Butterball turkey
3-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups broth made from the turkey giblets or canned chicken broth
1/4 cup cream sherry or cranberry juice
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Put the turkey drippings into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add the flour, stirring continually with a whisk or wooden spoon; cook for 1 minute, taking care not to let the flour mixture brown. Slowly whisk in the giblet or chicken broth to make a smooth mixture. Whisk in the sherry or cranberry juice and continue to stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.

2. Reduce heat to low and stir in the cranberry sauce until incorporated. Season the gravy to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm over very low heat until ready to serve.