Sweet Potato Eggplant Gravy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dripping, from the turducken plus the reserved duck skin
• 4 cups eggplants, peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
• 1 cup sweet potato, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 8 cups chicken stock or turkey stock or duck stock
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
• 1/2 cup green onion, finely chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Place the drippings and duck skin in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups of the eggplant and sauté until eggplant starts to get soft, translucent and brown, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the onions and remaining 1 cup eggplant. cook until the onions start to brown, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the finely chopped sweet potatoes. Continue cooking and stirring for 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon each of the white and red peppers, the mustard and thyme. Stir well, scraping the pan bottom as needed.

2. 2

   Stir in 1 cup of the stock into the vegetables and cook 2 minutes, then add 1 more cup of stock. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/4 cup of the sugar and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add another 1 cup of stock and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup more stock. Cook 10 minutes, then add another 1 cup of stock and cook 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer 13 minutes. Stir in another 1 cup stock and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and strain well, forcing as much liquid as possible through the strainer.

3. 3

   Place the strained gravy in a 2 quart saucepan. Add the diced sweet potatoes and 1 cup stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes, skimming any froth from the surface. Stir in the Grand Marnier and continue simmering for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the green onions, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, white and red pepper, and the FINAL cup of stock. Bring gravy to a boil and simmer until it reduces to about 3 cups, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Yield: About 3 cups.