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1
Preheat the oven to 350.
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2
Spread the bread on 2 large baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes, until dry.
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3
In a skillet, melt the butter.
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4
Add the onion and celery and cook over low heat until softened, 10 minutes.
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5
Stir in the ground fennel and prosciutto and cook for 1 minute.
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6
Remove from the heat and let cool.
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7
In a very large bowl, toss the bread with the prosciutto mixture and figs.
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8
In a bowl, beat the eggs, stock, salt and pepper; pour the mixture over the bread and stir to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
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9
Lower the oven temperature to 325.
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10
Cut the tips off the wings and place in a large roasting pan with the neck.
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11
Put the capon in the pan, breast side down and fill the neck cavity with stuffing.
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12
Pull the skin over the stuffing and secure with a skewer.
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13
Turn the capon breast side up and fill the cavity with stuffing.
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14
Wrap any leftover stuffing in foil.
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15
Rub the butter over the capon; season with salt and pepper.
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16
Roast the capon for 1 1/2 hours, rotating the pan once.
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17
Transfer the neck and wing tips to a saucepan.
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18
Roast for about 1 hour longer, rotating the pan once.
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19
The bird is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thigh registers 165.
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20
Meanwhile, add the stock to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
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21
Add a pinch of salt, cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes.
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22
Discard the neck and wing tips.
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23
Remove the capon from the oven.
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24
Raise the oven temperature to 400 and cook the stuffing in the foil packet for 20 minutes.
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25
With a large spoon, scoop the stuffing from both cavities into an ovenproof bowl; cover with foil and keep warm.
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26
Tilt the capon to release any juices into the roasting pan.
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27
Transfer the capon to a carving board and let rest for up to 20 minutes.
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28
Pour the pan juices into a glass measuring cup and skim off the fat.
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29
Spoon 3 tablespoons of the fat into the roasting pan; discard the remaining fat.
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30
Set the pan over 2 burners on moderate heat and stir in the flour.
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31
Gradually whisk in the stock and the Calvados until smooth.
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32
Bring to a boil, whisking, then simmer the gravy over low heat, whisking often, until no floury taste remains, about 8 minutes.
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33
Pour in the reserved pan juices and simmer for a few minutes longer.
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34
Season with salt and pepper and pour into a gravy boat.
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35
Carve the capon and serve with the stuffing and gravy.