Non Traditional Turkey Recipes
Thanksgiving is all about family, giving thanks and eating food. Because it is a very tradition-oriented holiday, it is fun, once in a while, to shake up the traditions and do something new and fun with the turkey dinner. Make this year's turkey dinner a non-traditional feast that will keep your guests coming back for more. With these fun ideas, you may even start a new tradition.
Legs and breast
Don't buy the entire turkey; spend your money wisely by purchasing only the parts of the turkey your family loves. You can still cook the stuffing with the turkey and you can still use the roasting bag but eliminate the parts of the turkey that get wasted or fed for to the dog. For an element of fun, arrange the turkey on the meat plate to simulate the shape of a turkey!
Deep-fat fried turkey
Deep Fry your turkey. Once the turkey is thawed, remove the inside packages. Heat corn oil in your deep-fat fryer to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub your favorite seasoning all over your turkey. Include the inside of the turkey. Open the end of your turkey and put it in the fryer, neck first. You will need to leave your turkey in the fryer about four minutes for every pound. Remove the turkey, drain it and check to make sure it is thoroughly cooked. Let the turkey rest for about thirty minutes. Carve it and serve it!
Grilled turkey
Grilled turkey is perfect for the outdoor cook, especially if you live in a warmer climate and want to avoid heating the entire house. Oil the grate of your outdoor grate and set the heat on medium. Clean and dry your turkey. Place the turkey, breast side down, on your grill. Sear it all around-the skin should turn a golden brown.
Mix two cups of water with two teaspoons of both garlic powder and onion powder. Add one teaspoon of poultry seasoning, three tablespoons of powdered chicken bouillon, one teaspoon of paprika and one-half teaspoon of chopped parsley. Cover the turkey with the mixture, scooping it all over the bird. Cover it with foil and place it on your outside grill again. Heat the turkey until the internal temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Total cooking time for a ten pound turkey should be around 3 1/2 hours. Allow the turkey to rest for a few minutes before you carve and serve it.
Turkey Tacos
Buy enough turkey breast meat to feed your guests and have the store slice it into 1/8-inch slices. Spray a cake pan lightly with oil. Soak cornbread stuffing with water. Mix the moistened cornbread with chopped apples, onions, celery, garlic and mix them a few tablespoons of butter. You can add chopped walnuts too.
Take slices of turkey, one at a time, and fold it like a taco. Drop a spoonful of stuffing into the turkey taco and place it in the cake pan. Continue adding "tacos" until the first row is full. Add a second row. Fix your favorite gravy and pour it over the top of the turkey. Bake at 325 until the meat is thoroughly cooked. If the edges start to harden, cover it lightly with foil. Turkey tacos go well with mashed potatoes and all the other fixings on the Thanksgiving table. It can also be made with vegetarian turkey slices for your vegetarian friends.
Thanksgiving is a traditional holiday but don't let traditions keep you from trying something new. This year, try cooking your turkey a non-traditional way and watch your guests head back for seconds.
