Bye Bye Birdie the Unconventional Thanksgiving Meal?

[chilerelleno]

Anyone doing away with the normal turkey and having an unconventional Thanksgiving main course?

I know of quite a few families that are doing this and will enjoy some really Thanksgiving feasts sans turkey, Standing Prime Rib Roasts, Seafood Extravaganzas, Fresh Fried Whiting, Roasted Duck (wild/fresh) and a few more.

I myself will be doing this tomorrow since my family is visiting in PA, so I'm a temporary bachelor for a month.
And I've the whole four day weekend planned out as a extended unconventional Thanksgiving smorgasbord.

Thanksgiving kicks it off with a taste of Mexico, Grilled Carne Asada with a spicy Green Chile/Serrano Sauce, Arroz Mexicana and Frijoles.
Then Friday I'm doing, Cherry Smoked/Grilled Duck Breasts with Crawfish Etouffee and Rice.
Saturday or Sunday will be Hickory Smoked Pork Belly with Crispy Skin.

So, anyone else foregoing the bird in favor of something else?

 

[pc farmer]

Man I am coming to your house. Oven turkey here, the wife tired of me smoking them. LOL

 

[Scott Eisenbraun]

Committed to a smoked turkey tomorrow, threw away the salad with romaine, doing Israeli cous cous with apples, pear, and cranberries instead. Plus all other usual sides.

Friday, SV prime rib, reverse sear, and prime rib toasted sandwiches with Au Jus on Sat.

 

[gnarlykaw]

Lol! I’m just glad my wife will let me smoke stuff!

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

Send some of that Crawfish Etouffee and Rice my way Chile!

 

[SonnyE]

I imagine there will be the Big Bird at our gathering.
But the BIL brings a Honey Ham, so there is that saving Grace.
I'm bringing Dutch's Wicked Beans, and some Pumpkin Bars (which aren't bars just yet).
On December 2nd the wife is going to see her Family in Hawaii for a week. So I get to play in the kitchen unharassed. :D
I even have some Baby Back Ribs, Pork Loin, Salmon, and some left over Pulled Pork in the chest freezer.
And my BACON will finally be ready to smoke!:) (On my new Bacon hangers from The Sausage Maker)

I think I'm going to Pig Out! LOL!

 

[tropics]

Pork Loin with browned sauerkraut,skinless boneless chicken breast stuffed with sausage stuffing 7 covered with bacon,stuffed blue cheese mushrooms.Double baked cheesy taters,Brussels sprouts,sweet pepper poppers.I am sure there is more Happy Thanksgiving from my family an I
Richie

 

[chilerelleno]

Man I am coming to your house. Oven turkey here, the wife tired of me smoking them. LOL

It's just me, c'mon down.

Committed to a smoked turkey tomorrow, threw away the salad with romaine, doing Israeli cous cous with apples, pear, and cranberries instead. Plus all other usual sides.

Friday, SV prime rib, reverse sear, and prime rib toasted sandwiches with Au Jus on Sat.

I like Cous Cous and doing it with the fruit sounds tasty.
And Prime Rib... Dang'it man :cool:

Lol! I’m just glad my wife will let me smoke stuff!

LOL :D:rolleyes:

Send some of that Crawfish Etouffee and Rice my way Chile!

Carry out only. ;)

I imagine there will be the Big Bird at our gathering.
But the BIL brings a Honey Ham, so there is that saving Grace.
I'm bringing Dutch's Wicked Beans, and some Pumpkin Bars (which aren't bars just yet).
On December 2nd the wife is going to see her Family in Hawaii for a week. So I get to play in the kitchen unharassed. :D
I even have some Baby Back Ribs, Pork Loin, Salmon, and some left over Pulled Pork in the chest freezer.
And my BACON will finally be ready to smoke!:) (On my new Bacon hangers from The Sausage Maker)

I think I'm going to Pig Out! LOL!

I hear ya on the unharassed :)

Pork Loin with browned sauerkraut,skinless boneless chicken breast stuffed with sausage stuffing 7 covered with bacon,stuffed blue cheese mushrooms.Double baked cheesy taters,Brussels sprouts,sweet pepper poppers.I am sure there is more Happy Thanksgiving from my family an I
Richie

Dang all that sounds great!

 

[chilerelleno]

Teasers

Carne Asada

Air drying Duck and Pork Belly

 

[SonnyE]

DROOL!

 

[johnmeyer]

My dad hated turkey and one year when the relatives couldn't come, we had a really nice rolled beef roast. It's a whole lot easier to prepare and just as festive.

Of course it is about 4x the cost ...

 

[Scott Eisenbraun]

I'd like to try the duck. Medium?

 

[bertjo44]

Anyone doing away with the normal turkey and having an unconventional Thanksgiving main course?

I know of quite a few families that are doing this and will enjoy some really Thanksgiving feasts sans turkey, Standing Prime Rib Roasts, Seafood Extravaganzas, Fresh Fried Whiting, Roasted Duck (wild/fresh) and a few more.

I myself will be doing this tomorrow since my family is visiting in PA, so I'm a temporary bachelor for a month.
And I've the whole four day weekend planned out as a extended unconventional Thanksgiving smorgasbord.

Thanksgiving kicks it off with a taste of Mexico, Grilled Carne Asada with a spicy Green Chile/Serrano Sauce, Arroz Mexicana and Frijoles.
Then Friday I'm doing, Cherry Smoked/Grilled Duck Breasts with Crawfish Etouffee and Rice.
Saturday or Sunday will be Hickory Smoked Pork Belly with Crispy Skin.

So, anyone else foregoing the bird in favor of something else?

We didn't do this but I was thinking about it and still am for Christmas. Specifically, a seafood feast. My dad has started a tradition of frying some oysters so I though why not do a low country boil or fish fry to go along with those.

Would love to see the finished pics if you have them.

I'd like to try the duck. Medium?

I did a duck for Christmas a few years ago, just roasted it in the oven on one of those raised racks. Turned out great.

 

[chilerelleno]

Would love to see the finished pics if you have them.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/hickory-smoked-pork-belly-with-crispy-skin.281785/

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...d-duck-breasts-with-crawfish-etouffee.281741/

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/fiesta-de-accion-de-gracias-thanksgiving-feast.281696/

 

[dls1]

I'd like to try the duck. Medium?

Medium is OK for the legs and thighs. The breast should be rare, or at worst, medium rare. Anything beyond that with the breasts should be reserved for pet food.

 

[chilerelleno]

Medium is OK for the legs and thighs. The breast should be rare, or at worst, medium rare. Anything beyond that with the breasts should be reserved for pet food.

I injected with brine, rubbed with Cajun spices and took them off at an IT of 150°.
That's medium and they were so tender and juicy it was ridiculous.

 

[Scott Eisenbraun]

I've never had anything but overdone duck when I hunted.(Never liked it either) My next door neighbor did all his rare to med rare. He raves about how delicious they are.

 

[chilerelleno]

I've never had anything but overdone duck when I hunted.(Never liked it either) My next door neighbor did all his rare to med rare. He raves about how delicious they are.

Well I'd sure not take duck to 165°-185° like other poultry, 150° was pushing it.
And yeah, it was surprisingly good.

 

[smokefrog]

I was at the grocery yesterday and they were selling the $5.99/lb Bell & Evans Fresh Organic turkey for $0.99. Only thing is they were averaging 23 lbs. I really been wanting to smoke a turkey so I got one and had them split it in half. Plan to smoke this Christmas.