Tastes of Turkey Day

Sunday, November 22, 2009

If your family is anything like mine, Thanksgiving is a holiday that we look forward to 364 days of the year. It’s a time for feasting on family favorites and carrying out yearly traditions while also making new ones. For my family, we enjoy sipping on mimosas and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade together while the savory smells of roasting turkey, sage and stuffing cause our stomachs to rumble in anticipation. I am the appointed turkey stuffer of the household and am looking forward to trying a new stuffing this year.

Adapted by The Charlotte Observer based on a recipe from The Silver Palate Cookbook, an almost legendary mantra of gourmet cooking for my family, this year’s stuffing is called Cornbread-Sausage Dressing With Apples. A mix of three types of bread, tart apple, onion, sausage, pecans and spices, this recipe yields 10 to 12 servings or enough to stuff a 20-pound turkey.

Egg and chicken broth will give this stuffing a moist, rich flavor.

Photo Source: Charlotte Observer

As for the turkey, the meal’s main attraction, the possibilities for infusing flavor are endless from basting to brining and grilling or deep-frying for those seeking a twist on a traditional bird.

Brining

Think of brining as a style of marinating -- soak your turkey for 12 to 24 hours before roasting to lock in flavor. Try out Spice Hunter’s Turkey Brine, a mix of sea salt, brown sugar, dried cranberries and apples, orange zest, black peppercorns, thyme, rosemary and age. Order online or find at your local specialty grocer.

Grilling

Make your meal all-American by grilling your turkey this Thanksgiving. Pre-soak it in a brine or prepare a rub to add some extra taste to your turkey. Check out these grilling tips and recipes by Saveur for more information.

Tired of the same type of Thanksgiving turkey? Give in to the grill.

Photo Source: Saveur

Deep-Fried

For a fast-track turkey taking only 45 minutes to cook a 12-pound bird, try deep-frying. Add some Cajun seasoning for some extra spice if your Turkey Day guests won’t mind the extra oomph.

Check out some more fun Thanksgiving Day recipes that will make your guests’ mouths water:

Deconstructed Pumpkin Pie

This pieced apart pie is the combination of crumbly pecan and coconut oatmeal, spiced pumpkin custard and tastes of caramel and cinnamon.

Try this new taken on pumpkin pie for a pretty, portion perfect dessert.

Photo Source: Bonbini

Sweet Potato Souffle

Can’t pick between marshmallows or pecans? Why not use both in this tasty Sweet Potato Souffle.

Baked Mashed Potato Cake

Make your mashed potatoes more of a gratin with this Italian recipe for Baked Mashed Potato Cake.

Bread crumbs, provolone and bits of salami gives this

potato dish great gratin-like flavor.

Photo Source: Cheese and Pears

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Try this moist and tart cranberry cake as a sweet beginning or ending to Thanksgiving celebrations.

This sweet dish is festive in flavor and in color.

Photo Source: My Recipes