Gravy Guilt

As most of you have probably figured out by now, I love making things from scratch. Especially if I have the time! And Thanksgiving is one of those days when I really enjoy and pride myself in making things from scratch (with LOTS of butter). Today I finalized my menu–mashed potatoes, turkey, dips, an amazing blooming bread thing as an appetizer, cranberry sauce, all the Thanksgiving goodness.

But there is just one thing I cannot make from scratch–turkey gravy. I know you’re supposed to use those weird bits–giblets, liver, etc.–that come in the turkey, and that REALLY freaks me out. So I decided to put my weird feelings aside and find a good tutorial. Who else should I turn to, but my dear friend the Pioneer Woman (okay, we’re not really friends, but I consult her so much, I sometimes feel like we’re friends). She has an excellent tutorial on how to make turkey gravy. And I read it. And like I said it’s an excellent tutorial. But I just couldn’t get over this picture:

Courtesy of the Pioneer Woman

I tried. I tried to tell myself: “Kate, you are a grown-up. You are a soon to be mother of two, who will have to deal with many gross things in the future. You used to want to be a doctor and held pig brains and sheep hearts and dissected all sorts of creatures.” But despite the Pioneer Woman’s encouragement, I decided that I just can’t do it!

So I did what I do every year…I bought the packet. I might add some drippings from the turkey in there, but I just can’t touch those icky parts. And it makes me feel a bit guilty…like I’m a Turkey Day failure. But friends, that’s just how strongly I feel about not touching those weird parts! I hope you won’t judge me .

How about you? Are you brave enough to make “real” gravy?