New Year's Eve Dinner

Roasting the Turkey Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

2.Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan.

3.In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Generously season the turkey with salt and pepper, then brush the turkey all over with the melted butter.

Making the Stuffing In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, onion, celery, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Stir in the chicken broth until the mixture is moistened.

5.Stuff the turkey cavity with the bread mixture. Secure the turkey legs with kitchen twine.

6.Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for about 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Baste the turkey with the pan drippings every 30 minutes.

7.Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Making the Gravy While the turkey is resting, make the gravy. Pour the pan drippings into a measuring cup and let the fat rise to the top. Skim off the fat and discard. Place the roasting pan over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the chicken broth. Cook until the gravy thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Making the Mashed Potatoes For the mashed potatoes, place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter and milk. Mash the potatoes until smooth, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Making the Roasted Vegetables For the roasted vegetables, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the carrots, parsnips, and turnips on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and golden brown.

Making the Champagne Cocktails To make the champagne cocktails, pour champagne into glasses halfway. Top with orange juice and cranberry juice to taste. Stir gently.