The Great American Turkey Debate

[Ross]

I'm wondering how many of you choose Butterball, Honeysuckle, stuffed, unstuffed, Capon Chicken or other for your holiday meal.

I usually get Butterball, but this year I'm thinking of something different.

What do you folks do?

You can vote for bird and which way with the stuffing. Multiple choice voting.

 

[JimL]

Thanks, Ross, for posting this question. I've had a concern along those lines, but not about what kind of turkey, etc, since I just eat what's before me.

All four of our children are away at school, but only two are coming home for Thanksgiving, the youngest two. My 21yo son has a very healthy appetite, but my 18 yo daughter won't contribute much. My question is: Without my other two big eater sons coming home, is it possible to make just one turkey for Thanksgiving? Are there recipes for that? Thanks.

 

[Ross]

Jim I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm sure a Capon chicken would be fine for the wife and I, but I'm going to go ahead and get a 12 or 13 lbs turkey and make it anyway.

Slow on the uptake today!

I guess it would be hard to make only one when you make for so many. I'm sure you'll enjoy none the less.

 

[Gnusgal]

Mmmmmm... I LOVE turkey stuffing! My grandmother (and her mother before her, I'm not sure how far back it goes) makes the BEST stuffing EVER! Unfortunately, she doesn't do Thanksgiving anymore (goes to a restraunt instead)... So I'll be having diner with my in-laws. Don't get me wrong, they make great food... but it just isn't the same... But at Christmas, my grandmother makes the same meal, so at least I get my fix! My husband and I are trying to figure out how to make the stuffing outside the bird, so we can have some at his mother's house. They only cook a turkey breast, since no one in their family likes dark meat (complete oposite of my family), so there's no where to stuff anything. But his grandmother makes cornbread dressing. I'll admit it's the best cornbread dressing I've had, but it still doesn't compare to my grandmother's bread stuffing.

Anyway, thanks for making me hungry....

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Wild

Wild

Wild and deep fried.
Turkey Day is best when you eat one you killed yourself in woods.

Rob will understand. lmao

Ben

 

[Nancy]

It'll be just the two of us. The daughters will both be in Florida. I'll probably buy the smallest fresh turkey, since the others are injected with sodium, and cut it in half and butcher up the other half and freeze it.

I have cooked a half turkey in the past and for some reason, it has turned out to be very moist and tasty, maybe because you don't have to cook it so long, and it doesn't dry out as much. Once when I ran out of time, I split the turkey and cooked both halves. Turned out great. And I saved a lot of time.

 

[weekycat]

Whatever I get free from the grocery!

Whatever I get free from the grocery!

Our local grocery stores here have a program where you can "win" a free turkey. You get a card and then for a couple of months before Thanksgiving, for every $10 you spend you get a stamp. Once you get a certain amount of stamps, you get a free turkey. I think it is usually a Jennie-O.

I generally use a cooking bag to make mine. It cuts off a lot of the cooking time and gives you a nice juicy bird. I let my mother make the stuffing... she does that the best.

 

[hensylee]

Nobody mentioned duck. It is just wonderful - rich and dark all the way through.

I am not cooking - don't believe in it anymore. Others can do it, or I can go have dinner w/bro at 'the home' where they make a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for tenants and guests. Or daughter and granddaughter will cook and I will attend. I did it for lots of years and now they can do it and they truly enjoy getting to be the 'cooks'. Finally found out what it's like not to be in the kitchen for days before the big day! Ladies, you ought to try it.

Mother made corn bread dressing, too and I have a 'sort of' recipe. All ingredients but not measurements, if anyone wants it. Delicious - no sage added; just salt, onions, celery for seasoning.

 

[Kevin M]

Try a wild turkey if you can find one.
Be careful to not to overcook it because they dry out very easily.

This isn't heart smart, but we usually tuck a bunch of butter under the skin.

With it, we put a whack of chopped garlic and some rosemary.

Mmmmnn.

Wild turkey is usually a lot smaller than the monsters they sell in the stores.

Did you know that a lot of the turkeys that are farmed nowadays cannot even mate because they are fattened up so much at the finishing stage? Too fat to mate. How sad.

Try the wild turkey, I swear you won't regret it.
Kev

 

[Lisa in Katy]

We started something last year that's going to be a new tradition. We go to the parade in downtown Houston, and then stop somewhere on the way home to eat. Last year, we stopped at La Madeleine's, but not sure what we'll do this year.

When the kids are a little older, we plan to go to the parade, and then go help at the big dinner at the George R. Brown for those who aren't as fortunately.

Normally, being in the South, we have turkey with cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin and pecan pie, etc., etc., etc. When I lived in Lafayette, everyone took their turkeys to be deep fried, which was also good.

 

[Granbonny]

Turkey

Turkey

John is cooking a butterball turkey on the grill tomorrow. Early..but we are going to my Dad's in Alabama for Thanksgiving so he will not be alone. Just the 3 of us..so I will have a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and fresh green beans.... For any singles..or just a couple of people here is a good recipe....3 large chicken breasts, cooked and cut in chunks...1 can cream of chicken soup.....a can of chicken broth...1 stick of margarine....1 8oz. package of Pepperidge Farm HERB stuffing.... ........Place chicken in bottom of greased 9x13 x2 inch baking dish.......Mix cream of chicken soup with 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Pour over chicken..Sprinkle herb stuffing over the top of chicken. Mix 1 cup of chicken broth and melted margarine..Pour over stuffing. Bake at 350 degress for 40-45 minutes.Yummy Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

P.S. the Best Thanksgiving Ever

P.S. the Best Thanksgiving Ever

Was on my Hubby's 70th Birthday. Fell on Thanksgiving Day... I had the entire family..Mom was still living...up to my home here in North Georgia. I made reservations at our LodgeUnicoi State Park....They had a special room, fire in fireplace, linens...on tables...round ones..Buffet..wonderful food, desserts.....Decorated beautiful with huge Xmas trees, ect.... No ONE had to cook. Came back home for visitors..Very relaxing for everyone...Even the little ones were able to run around and not get bored... Bonnie

 

[EVELYN]

Bon....Sounds like great fun.

Our Turkey day this year will be at my cousin's. They're half Greek, so we'll definitely partake in all the gooooood Greek stuffing, somadas (grape leaves stuffed), etc....I'm bringing Crab soup and pies. It's so great when everyone brings their specialties......just hope my oven is repaired in time.

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with family, friends, and anyone who is important in your lives......

Evelyn

 

[Rain]

Turkey Rub..... noooooo I'm not talking about you, Rossman.

Turkey Rub..... noooooo I'm not talking about you, Rossman.

I?m having the whole famn damily over to my house for Thanks Giving dinner again. We used to all go to my parent?s. Since Mom died... it?s moved to my house. 29 adults and 4 kids coming this year!! YIKES! We have everyone bring their ?specialty? dish. So it?s not so much work for the hostess. It?s always a great day...

I don?t like meat in my stuffing and I don?t like my stuffing in the bird.... I make my stuffing with green peppers, mushrooms, onions, etc. Gooooooooooood stuff. Everyone loves it... but of course it tastes nothing like my Mom?s. My sister has to bring that one.... Stuffed in a bird and all.

This is my favorite way to cook turkey... Rubs really have a way of locking in the flavor of meats. Here a wonderful blend of seasonings makes turkey extraordinary.

2 tablespoons rubbed sage
1 tablespoon salt
2 to 3 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons celery seed
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3 bay leaves, crumbled
1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)

In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings; mix well. Rub half the seasoning mixture in the cavity of the turkey. Rub remaining mixture over the turkey skin. Tie the drumsticks together and place turkey in a roasting pan. Roast using your favorite cooking method until a meat thermometer reads 185 degrees. Yield: 12 -14 servings.

I?ve used this recipe lots of times..... It?s really good!

Bonnie, I make a dish very similar to that! That?s a good one!

 

[Nan]

My "other" is a "Tofurky". Doesn't quite taste like real turkey (what I remember), but as a vegetarian, it at least gives me the feeling of participation!!!

Strangely enough no one else in my family will try it!! Cowards one and all.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hmmmmm......lemme think

Hmmmmm......lemme think

I kinda wanna do a turkey, but I really like duck, and, well, a capon would be nice....[bing..light goes on]

I'll have all three! TURDUCKEN

 

[Ross]

Johnny your scaring me now. Did you see this recipe for Whole Stuffed Camel?

 

[hensylee]

yeaaa, Bill! Have y'all noticed or stopped to think that every single social event involves food. Even sports - where there's sodas, hotdogs, popcorn, hamburgers.

 

[Kenny F]

I'm with BillCobit - a few years back we started trying holiday foods that we actually liked. We've had everything from Chinese to T-bones & baked potatoes. My personal favorite is a prime rib with the proper sides.

If we need trad foods, my mother-in-law lives next door. I'm sure that this year (I don't think I'kk feel like cooking ) we will be eating the standard, stuffing-on-the-side turkey and trimmings.

My real fear is the nutrition department at the hospital conjuring up Thanksgiving food this week. Scary!

 

[McCln]

I get with my brother during the holidays and this year, we have yet to decide on the meat or anything. I hope we do it at me place and he shows up. I was on my own last year with my first turkey. It was butterball turkbreast. It was alright, but a little to big for one person. Thanks for the poll, takes the edge off the holiday. Thanks and have a great holiday.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve