Your favourite traditional turkey recipe?

**Adrian II** · 10-14-2005, 21:31

In an effort to improve transatlantic understanding over Christmas this year, I will be cooking and serving the traditional Anglosaxon Christmas dinner: da roast turkey.

I have eaten turkey in Britain and the United States on various occasions, but I never bothered with recipes and various preparations I sampled were not exhaustive anyway. So I would love to have your favourite traditional turkey recipes.

Please add as many details as possible concerning preparation, presentation and degustation of the bird. With what should it be stuffed? How long should it cook? How should I cut it on the table? What side-dishes to serve with it? What wines go well with your recipe? What hors-d'oeuvres, what desserts are most suitable? Etcetera etcetera.

Please help AdrianII to a great turkey dinner in the interest of world peace!

**The Wizard** · 10-14-2005, 21:38

I was wondering why a Dutchman was cooking up something foreign...

We don't do many traditions here save the Christmas dinner / New Year's breakfast...

**Adrian II** · 10-14-2005, 22:07

Originally Posted by The Wizard

I was wondering why a Dutchman was cooking up something foreign...

We don't do many traditions here save the Christmas dinner / New Year's breakfast...

The AdrianII's traditionally cook hare or duck for Christmas. They enjoy lavish banquets on Easter mornings, Santaclaus Night (5th of December), New Year's Day, and family birthdays. I also organise a huge traditional colewort dinner (boerenkoolmaaltijd) in November with all the works (Kasselerrib, klapstuk, rookworst, lamskoteletjes, mosterd, allerhande zuur en grote glazen Bourgogne). In February we have a big mussel dinner (mussels stewed in white wine) and we are avid barbecuers throughout the season. These are social occasions, no grandes bouffes, and kids take pride of place. So a turkey that helps, say, twelve or fifteen people would be a great change.

**Abdel Hakam** · 10-15-2005, 21:39

Ha! I thought this was about Turkish food! I don't know a lot about the bird, except it apparently makes people sleepy. This is maybe off the subject, but where does a turkey sleep? I don't think they can fly. Do they make a nest on the ground?

Also, I heard Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the American national symbol! Apparently he saw the eagle as an arrogant and warlike bird and the turkey as a kind and useful creature. I like the idea, but was he serious? Unthinkable now, but maybe some comedian will be elected and bring the idea back.

**Adrian II** · 10-15-2005, 21:56

Originally Posted by Abdel Hakam

This is maybe off the subject, but where does a turkey sleep? I don't think they can fly. Do they make a nest on the ground?

Before this thread veeres off into the (fascinating) realm of ornithology, I want to emphasise that I plan on buying, stuffing and roasting a dead turkey, not a live one. The thought is tempting, though.