Roast turkey with apples and herbs

Preparation

For roast turkey :

1. Preheat oven to 250°C (500°F).
2. To prepare turkey, remove neck and giblets from cavity, if present. (Discard or save giblets for another use.) Pat turkey dry with paper towels, then place in roasting pan.
3. In a bowl, combine butter, herbs, garlic, salt and ground pepper. Gently loosen turkey breast skin by sliding fingers or spoon between skin and meat. Insert about 30 ml (2 tbsp.) of seasoned butter under the skin of each breast, then slowly apply pressure to the skin to spread the mixture evenly. Brush the rest of the seasoned butter all over the turkey.
4. Cut onions into quarters. Pour broth around turkey, then add onion quarters. Place turkey in oven and immediately REDUCE heat to 180°C (350°F). Roast for 1 hour 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cut the apples into quarters and remove the seeds.
6. Remove the turkey from the oven, then arrange the apple wedges around the turkey. Return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking for 60 to 90 minutes, until the internal temperature of the thighs reaches 72 to 77°C (165 to 170°F).
7. Meanwhile, melt the apple jelly in the microwave or in a small saucepan.
8. When turkey is cooked, remove from oven and brush with melted apple jelly. Cover with aluminum foil and let stand for 15 minutes.

For the apple sauce:

1. Transfer turkey to serving platter. Strain juices into a large measuring cup. Fill to 750 ml (3 cups) with turkey or chicken broth. Add 4 onion quarters and 4 cooked apple quarters to liquid. (Transfer remaining cooked onions and apples to serving plate, around turkey. Leave turkey covered with aluminum foil until ready to serve).
2. Using a stand mixer, reduce the mixture of cooking juices, broth, onions and apples to a smooth consistency. (This step can also be done with a stand mixer.) Strain the liquid to remove solids. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in flour. Continue cooking, whisking continuously, until the mixture browns, about 5 minutes. Still whisking, stir in alcohol, then apple stock mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauce doesn't stick to the bottom.
4. To serve, slice turkey with a sharp knife and serve with apple sauce and roasted apple and onion pieces.