Talking Turkey – Shake Up Thanksgiving 2020
In a year where change is the norm and breaks with tradition have been the rule, why not rethink the classic Thanksgiving turkey? Instead of remembering this year only for its negative aspects, consider your opportunities for branching out and adding some variety to your holiday. Since your family gathering is likely to consist of people who’ve celebrated Thanksgiving with you every year, a little experimentation could add a special touch to the celebration.
Of course, if a delicious roasted turkey is your family’s dream, go for it! Honor traditional recipes and give the dinner its trademarked centerpiece. But if you’re craving something a little different, you can always consider roasting a smaller bird and supplementing the usual with the unusual. The team at Ernest Homes researched the options for a creative turkey dinner, and we’re sharing our mouthwatering finds with you!
Deep-Fried Turkey
It’s not that unusual to run across a deep-fried turkey in the deep South, but there’s a surprising number of people who haven’t tried it yet. You might think a fried turkey would be greasy, but it’s actually the opposite. The hot oil crisps the skin quickly, sealing the juices inside. While the deep frying needs to be done outside, the upside is that your oven is now free for other dishes (including the roasted bird!).
Try a Turducken
You may think this is just a culinary punch line, but this fancy dish is actually a “thing”. It’s complex process, but it’s guaranteed to be a show-stopper! Start with a chicken, stuff it into a duck, and then place the duck in the turkey. It will take longer to roast, but the payoff will be worth it!
Roll with a Roulade
Roulade is just a fancy word for a dish that’s served in a roll style, and you can impress your white meat crowd with a delicious log of boneless turkey breast stuffed with delights such as sausage, figs, cranberries, herbs and a touch of brandy. Try this recipe to start a new tradition!
It’s Always Better with Bacon
A turkey breast is delicious…a turkey breast wrapped in bacon is divine! The bacon adds flavor to the meat, while keeping it moist and delicious.
Slow But Sure
If you have a large crock pot, tuck a smaller bird into it and create one the juiciest, fall-off-the-bone dishes of all time. To crisp the skin a bit, place the turkey under the broiler for a few minutes right before serving to give a perfect finish to this amazing variation.
Smoking…It’s Not Just for Pork
Still looking for a reason to invest in that smoker you’ve had your eye on? This may be the perfect idea to tip the scales and go “hog” wild with poultry! Smoked turkey is rich and flavorful, with a unique deep, distinct flavor that will have barbeque fans begging for more!
Make it Meatloaf
Ground turkey bursts onto the scene this Thanksgiving with a comfort food classic – meatloaf! An ideal pairing with a small roasted bird, this fanciful take on an American classic will be a hit with your family. It may even become a dining table staple during the rest of the year as well!
Great Grills, Batman!
If you’re the grill king of the neighborhood, why should you take a break on Thanksgiving? This amazing option lets you do what you do best while satisfying your family’s turkey urge.
Take It South of the Border
For a touch of Mexican flair at your Thanksgiving dinner, accent your turkey with the delicious combination of chocolate and sweet spice found in mole sauce. Accented with a delectable masa stuffing, this recipe is far from ordinary – you’ll love to bring this out for any special occasion!
Drunken Turkey
Spin your roasted turkey a bit by injecting your favorite spirit into your bird. You can try the famous vodka version with a 100 Proof Turkey or a bird prepared with whiskey, rum, tequila or beer.
Is it Dinner, or is it Dessert?
Not for the faint of heart, the Turdunkin’ is a truly unique take on both turkey and donuts. Yes…it’s a turkey. Stuffed with donuts. You have to see it to believe it. If you decide to give this a go, be sure to read the chef recap at the end of the post before you begin – they have ideas for making the original recipe even more of a spectacle!
