Turduckelicken Good!
Nov 25th 2009
Suzanne EnochSuzanne Enoch
On the Today Show the other day they staged this big mock debate on what was more important to a traditional Thanksgiving meal – the turkey, or the sides.
Turkey Argument: Without the turkey, it’s just a meal. Any other parts of the meal can change, but it isn’t Thanksgiving without the turkey.
Sides Argument: It’s not the turkey everybody talks about afterward, but the dressing or the sweet potatoes or veggies or pie. And if you had to choose, would you rather have seconds of turkey or one of the sides?
So my question to you is, which is more important? The turkey, or the sides? And what’s your favorite side dish on Thanksgiving? The most unusual? (And can you gain weight just from looking at photos of pumpkin pie?)
44 Comments »
44 Responses to “Turduckelicken Good!”
Jamie-Lynn on 25 Nov 2009 at 3:24 am #
For me it’s definitely the turkey. Of course, I’m a very picky eater and the only side I eat is mashed potatoes so…
Judy F on 25 Nov 2009 at 4:49 am #
Its the turkey for me too. I really only have turkey fixed like that once a year. The sides get repeated in other meals during the year.
My favorite side is cranberries, freshly made. Yummy. Stuffing/dressing is a close 2nd.
Kathy on 25 Nov 2009 at 5:32 am #
Turkey! I had my Thanksgiving dinner in Oct but never once has it not been turkey.
side dishes, mashed potatoes, mashed turnip, glazed carrots, stuffing- the crispy stuff on the outside- and lots and lots of gravy.
most Canadians I know don’t do pumpkin pie, we have blueberry and apple pies. Once we added birthday cake and ice cream.
I want to to know the if you have turkey for Thanksgiving, what do you have for Christmas dinner? We have turkey again.
Trini on 25 Nov 2009 at 6:06 am #
oooopppssss in Spain we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving day…. but if I have to choose… definitely I prefer turkey…
LoriHandeland on 25 Nov 2009 at 6:37 am #
I’m all about the turkey! But my favorite side is the mashed pot which I’ll be making ahead today with lots of sour cream and cream cheese. MMMMM.
The most unusual side dish we have it this brussel sprout and artichoke casserole my MIL makes. It’s the only way I’ll eat brussel sprouts.
Not a pumpkin pie fan, but I will eat the apple. And the pecan. And–no, must stop there.
Susan M on 25 Nov 2009 at 6:47 am #
Gotta have turkey. My favorite sides are…baked corn and green bean casserole. This year we’re only having the green bean casserole…we’ll be having the baked corn for Christmas. (Mom’s orders.) The only unusual side dish we’ve ever had is oyster dressing. I refuse to touch it but my DH and stepdad love it.
Cail on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:14 am #
I barely eat the turkey. I like my dad’s mushroom stuffing. that’s the best part of t-giving. sadly, its an off year for tgiving so i’m with the DH’s fam and will miss my stuffing
Michelle B on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:25 am #
Hang the turkey, it’s all about the sides for me! I make the whole meal every year. Can’t stand to touch the bird (shudder) so DH prepares it, I make the stuffing and he stuffs it.
My favorite side is the stuffing which tastes the best coming out of the bird, so I guess I need that darn bird after all. Pumpkin pie is my other must. I make that crust from scratch. Today is pie baking day for me. The house is going to smell great!
I don’t know if it is unusual or not, but I leave out the cloves from my pumpkin pie. You taste more pumpkin and cinnamon.
Michelle B on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:30 am #
Interestingly, I was talking to DH this morning about this blog and asked him. I expected him to say turkey, but he said the sides. When he has been deployed over the holidays they got turkey, however, the sides were uninspired and that is what he missed the most.
Deb Marlowe on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:55 am #
Hi Suzanne!
I love the turkey, but the sides are the stars for me. When I moved south, I discovered Sweet Potato Casserole–which almost tastes like pie, and is SOOO good! This is the only time of the year I make it. It’s so bad for you!
I love green beans, but the famous casserole is not my fave–I think because the taste of the beans is drowned out. But give me the dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy and all the rest!
This year we are doing apple and pumpkin pie. And at this time of the year I’m always baking my kids’ favorite. Chocolate pumpkin muffins. Yum!
Alicia on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:58 am #
I love the sides!!! I could care less about the turkey!
SuzyQ on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:02 am #
I like the turkey but its the stuffing for me. My mom makes it sooo good. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the stuffing. I also love jellied cranberry sauce – I used to call them floppy beats as a kid and I drove my mother nuts. She had no idea what I wanted and made every kind of beat there was. Until Thanksgiving rolled around and she realized what floppy beats were.
And btw, does wine count as a side?
TheYankeeGirl on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:05 am #
It’s all about the sides, baby! Of course, I understand the fundamental argument for turkey. I basically use it as a base to put sides on. I like to layer each forkful with as much as possible. Then there’s the desserts….
Freshechelle on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:29 am #
its all about the mashed potatoes and the cranberry sauce with the can marks on it!
Claudia Dain on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:31 am #
It’s all about the turkey. It’s practically the only day of the year I eat turkey! When I have seconds of anything on Thanksgiving, it’s turkey.
But my favorite side is pumpkin pie. I LOVE pumpkin pie. In fact, I have a pumpkin pie as my birthday “cake” every year. The funny thing is that I didn’t start to like pumpkin pie until I was in my early 20s. I was slow starter on the delicious, spicy goodness of pumpkin pie. I’ve made up for lost time, trust me.
Um, pumpkin pie is considered a side dish, right? Otherwise, we’re talking about (meh) vegetables.
Claudia Dain on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:33 am #
Kathy, we don’t eat turkey for Christmas. We eat Swedish meat balls. Turkey=Thanksgiving for me.
Karen Rose on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:40 am #
Turkey, for sure. One year when I was still living at home, my mother suggested pot roast on Tgiving. We let up a howl!
Sides, are okay. I’m for the white meat on the turkey, then the day after Tgiving, turkey pot pie and turkey ala king, and more turkey pot pie
I don’t really like pumpkin pie. So because I’ve cut back on my sugar intake, I’m going to go to the store and get myself one slice of choco cheesecake – the real thing. When everyone is eating their pie, I’ll have that one slice and then I won’t feel like I have to eat the rest of the cheesecake so it won’t “go to waste.”
That’s my Tgiving plan.
Karen Rose on 25 Nov 2009 at 8:41 am #
Oh, last year we had Turducken on Christmas. Family agreed it was way overpriced and not as tasty as regular turkey, so this year we’re back to basics! One bird, roasted divinely.
Theresa on 25 Nov 2009 at 9:14 am #
I do like turkey.. but in our family everyone like bringing different sides and trying new ones.So the dinner is never the same. There is always lots of turkey left over but the side dishes are always gone. My favourite is brussel sprouts with balsamic dressing and bacon. Sounds weird but tastes delicious!!!
SheridanLA on 25 Nov 2009 at 9:23 am #
I prefer the sides… turkey is ok, but I think it is more out of nostalgia and “what you’re supposed to have” more then anything. I wonder why people rarely make turkey outside of thanksgiving and christmas? It is not that difficult and everyone seems to love it at the holidays.
I am making my mother’s cornbread and sausage stuffing… it is a big nostalgia thing for me since she is gone.. same with my grandmother’s pecan pie recipe.. they are my little tributes to all those who are gone now.
Actually thinking about it, I prefer the wine (Suzy, you are right on here) the beaujolais nouveaux are out… the lovely reds that taste so lovely with the heavy dinner.. then the whites and sparklings for before and after. A beautiful pairing makes everything taste yummier.. and makes those not-so-pleasant family moments much easier to take.
Amy Scott on 25 Nov 2009 at 9:35 am #
I am with Michelle B I need the turkey for my stuffing and gravy, which is my favourite part of Thanksgiving. I would rather have ham as my Thanksgiving meat, but it has to have a nice glaze that includes pineapples and cherries.
Like kathy, we have turkey again for Chirstmas, and I don’t know about you guys, but we have it again at Easter.
I am a fellow Canadian Kathy, and we don’t do pumpkin pie either. We usually have an apple pie, and a chocolate pudding pie.
The strangest thing we have is a dessert. We call it Grrandma’s pink stuff, as far as I know it doesn’t have any other name. I am not even sure what goes into making it, but I am not a fan, I only have a little scoop just to please my grandma. I have to close my eyes with every bit because it looks like Pepto Bismal… it is literally the same colour and texture.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans here!
Karen Rose on 25 Nov 2009 at 9:42 am #
Amy, maybe it is Pepto – Grandma’s way of making sure you all don’t get sick from the overindulgence of the day, LOL. A little preventative medicine.
My grandma would have pimento loaf on the table on Tgiving. Or at least it was in the fridge when I visited for the holidays. If you don’t know what pimento loaf is, you’re lucky. But I always ate it, because it reminded me of my grandmother’s house. She died back in 1990, right around Christmas and I miss her.
Kat on 25 Nov 2009 at 9:54 am #
I love that turkey too — since for Christmas we do glazed ham. But since I’m in Cajun country, it’s not unusual to have dad in the back yard eating raw oysters while frying a turkey. Mom bakes one and afterward we batter and fry the leftovers with mashed potatoes. My mom does a oyster dressing, crab stuffed mushrooms, parsley potatoes, corn on the cob, rice dressing, and a salad and I help make pecan pies and a dirt cake for dessert. Since my fiancee and I are from the same area, we do lunch with his family and dinner with mine — this year, I’m on cocktail duty too and I’ll do eggnog, wine, and my new favorite apple pie — which there are many great recipes online (I really suggest the one from all-recipes.com, but I half the liquid and the sugar, and only use about 1/3 of the alcohol.)
The weirdest thing we’ve ever had for Thanksgiving is boiled crabs, but that’s only because we don’t usually have them for Thanksgiving. Last year we had Thanksgiving in the hospital for me, so I’ll be glad to get fresh food this year!
Julia London on 25 Nov 2009 at 9:57 am #
Definitely the sides!! I want some of Lori’s loaded mashed potatoes. God, I feel full just thinking about it.
Janae on 25 Nov 2009 at 10:33 am #
I love the sides – stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Yummy! I’m not a big fan of turkey because it seems like the turkey leftovers (and my mom had alot of recipes), were just running out right before Christmas. Then, we’d have turkey, again, with more leftovers. It was like 2 solid months of turkey.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Nov 2009 at 10:35 am #
Food. Yes.
Any other questions?
Suzanne Enoch on 25 Nov 2009 at 10:35 am #
Good gravy, I think I gained ten pounds just from reading the posts! My mom used to prepare the entire meal for our extended family, but then she decided we should all contribute something. I actually like it better that way – we all bring something to the meal. And we’ve had enough time to figure out who does what best, so my aunt always brings the sweet potatoes, one of my sisters does the bean casserole, my cousin brings the mashed potatoes, etc. Me? I provide the sodas. *g* And the venue.
Fiona on 25 Nov 2009 at 10:40 am #
I vote for the sides! We eat turkey throughout the year (but not a whole roasted one) and my DH got two brace of pheasant for our Thanksgiving dinner.
My favorite sides are: roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing, anything pumpkin, and freshly made cranberry apple sauce.
I found out on our first Thanksgiving together that DH’s family had VERY DIFFERENT Thanksgiving traditions than mine. He had worked all night the night before, and while he slept I made a FULL THANKSGIVING MEAL, in my opinion.
We sat down to eat, and my DH looked at all of the food and frowned. He asked, “Where’s the whipped cream for the pie?”
I had cooked my first Thanksgiving as a married woman, made everything my mother made of a whole family, and he asked for whipped cream!
Needless to say, he went out in search of whipped cream–he found cool whip at a convenience store–and I was angry.
At the time, we lived in the South, and everyone thought he was out of his mind when I told them the story. Then we moved to the Midwest, where he grew up, and when I told this story, they all said, “YOU DIDN’T HAVE WHIPPED CREAM?”
Of course, we laugh about it every Thanksgiving, now.
amy1242 on 25 Nov 2009 at 10:53 am #
Turkey! I love the sides, but Thanksgiving without the turkey would just be dinner. Pot roast for Thanksgiving? NO WAY!!!
Kathleen O on 25 Nov 2009 at 11:12 am #
For me it is the Turkey.. It would be liking having an ice cream sundae without the ice cream… I cant wait for the Turkey at holiday meals.. I live alone, so to cook a even a small turkey I would be eating it for months.. But you also have to have the sides too… Gravy, stuffing, smashed and whipped pototes. we smash’em and then whip them with lots of butter and milk.. and of course we have to everybody’s favourite veggies..for my brother and my mom, turnip, for me it’s got to be brussel sprouts… And of course our family holiday meal would not be complete without a nice big bone in Ham…
MMMM can’t wait until Christmas..
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow… !!!!
Madeline Hunter on 25 Nov 2009 at 11:16 am #
It is the sides. Turkey is just carrier food. What is turkey without a good gravy, after all?
My favoriet is the dressing. Of course, this year DH has decided to experiment with some new sides, including a new dressing. I am being philosphical about it, but IMO you don’t mess with holiday menues! I told him he could not replace the mashed potatoes with some gourmet dish because younger son only eats the potatoes to begin with.
Anyway, I anticipate DH in my way tomorrow, interfering with the system for making this meal that has been perfected over years of practice. He will no doubt want to do his thing at the wrong time in my schedule, then leave a big mess. This new food sure better taste wonderful, that is all I can say.
I will make the pies. Pumpkin and apple. And my family’s celery and olive salad that is great with poultry, so good that I can’t imaging eating turkey without it. That is one side that is a must have for me. I’ll post the recipe in the next post.
Madeline Hunter on 25 Nov 2009 at 11:23 am #
Italian antipasta salad: In a big colander, put as much cut celery as you want (figure one head, the stalks cut into 1/2 inch pieces). Throw in and drain 1 can green ollives and one can black olives, and one small jar cleaned hot banana peppers. If you are into capers you can add them too, later. Let all drain, then put in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt (go easy, since the ingredients will also give off salt), garlic powder, basil and oregeno. Drizzle a good grade olive oil over all (virgin or other, it is up to you.) and mix. Put in a container and in fridge until ready to serve, turning ingredients every now and then (can be done a day ahead and better if it is. I put it in one of those lock top plastic containers and just turn the whole thing periodically so it all marinates. The peppers will give off vinegar that mixes with the oil, and will also make the celery just a tad spicy). To serve, spread/heap on a platter. To be authentic, take one or two cans of anchovies, open part way and drizzle their oil over all , then lay out anchovies in a decorative pattern on top. If you want to get fancy you can place marinated artichoke hearts around the edge of the salad too
kay on 25 Nov 2009 at 12:03 pm #
Thanksgiving is the only time of the year we eat turkey, ham for Christmas, but it’s the sides that count for me. We make homemade noodles to go with our mashed ‘taters. The one side of our family makes this jello thing they call Bavarian cream, although I don’t think it is. It has red jello, whipped cream, grapes, and nuts all mixed together. And let us not forget the homemade bread, yum. I think perchance there is quite a lot of starch on the table, but what the hey! We do have a veggie tray for later.
Suzanne Enoch on 25 Nov 2009 at 12:58 pm #
Oh, I love everybody talking about the dishes they love to make and I get to eat. *g*
Now if I was cooking for Thanksgiving we would all be eating grilled cheese sandwiches and popcorn. Ahem.
I have a friend whose Thanksgiving traditional meal is lasagna. They have a small gathering, and she doesn’t like to spend the whole day cooking. From what I hear, it’s really good lasagna.
TrishD on 25 Nov 2009 at 1:22 pm #
It’s the sides for me. My husband does all the cooking and his homemade stuffing is the best! But, if I could only eat one thing on the table it would be my mom’s pumpkin roll. It’s sinfully good.
Kathy on 25 Nov 2009 at 2:19 pm #
“Now if I was cooking for Thanksgiving we would all be eating grilled cheese sandwiches and popcorn. ”
LMAO, Suzanne!
Just reading everyones’ comments today is making me mighty hungry.
BTW, I’m not allowed to mash the poatoes for our family meals anymore. no, that’s not quite true…I’m not allowed to drain the potatoes. Just because one year I completely forgot my sister needed the potatoe water to make her gravy and I let it all run down the sink drain. sheesh. it’s been 6 yrs. let it go
Catherine Gayle on 25 Nov 2009 at 3:06 pm #
The sides.
I could live without the turkey entirely. In fact, the only reason we continue to make a turkey at Thanksgiving is because my mother insists on it. My siblings and I would much prefer a ham, or just the sides.
Best side dish ever? Chile Rellenos Casserole. It is a Tex-Mex type of dish that my family only makes at holidays, but I refuse to even acknowledge Thanksgiving without it.
Sadly, since my recent gall-bladder surgery, my body just can’t handle the amount of fat that goes into many of our traditional sides. I’m having to find ways of making Thanksgiving dinner a much lower-fat version of the norm. My pumpkin pies are virtually fat free! Hopefully they taste as good as usual.
Catherine Gayle on 25 Nov 2009 at 3:16 pm #
Chile Rellenos Casserole
2 lbs Monterrey Jack cheese, grated
4 4.5 oz cans diced green chiles, drained
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper
(feel free to spice it up a bit, 1 tsp. dry mustard is nice, or 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper)
Layer chiles and cheese in a 13×9 sprayed baking dish. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the top of the chiles/cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, until the top is beginning to brown. Let it set for about 5 minutes, then dig into the yummy, gooey, cheesy deliciousness. Experience heaven.
Lisa G on 25 Nov 2009 at 3:43 pm #
I am easy…I want it all!!!!!
Suzanne Enoch on 25 Nov 2009 at 3:49 pm #
We’ve had turkey and ham at Thanksgiving, and ham and turkey at Christmas, but the dishes seem to know which is the star of the evening. How, I have no idea. *g*
Jane on 25 Nov 2009 at 3:55 pm #
I do love the turkey, but my favorite dish is the green bean casserole with extra french fried onions. Good stuffing is also important.
Madeline Hunter on 25 Nov 2009 at 5:13 pm #
Where I live, all the grocery stores had decreed what everyone will eat for each holiday. Heaven forbid you want a ham for Thanksgiving. Ham is for Christmas according to how they stock food. New Years is pork roast. Easter is lamb, I guess.
Louisa Cornell on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:10 pm #
Definitely the turkey. HOWEVER, the highlight of my Thanksgiving every year is my Mom’s homemade from scratch chicken and dumplings and her homemade dressing, and her made from scratch homemade macaroni and cheese !! Are you seeing a theme here?
Happy Thanksgiving, all !
Patricia Barraclough on 25 Nov 2009 at 11:17 pm #
I vote for the turkey. I look forward to Thanksgiving every year because it means I’ll have left over turkey and can have wonderful turkey sandwiches with lots of mayo. As for sides, the stuffing is my favorite. That is often a leftover we eat as a meal by itself. When I make my stuffing, I add cooked sage sausage, celery, onions, craisins, diced apricots, and sometimes pecans. Can’t wait, but I’ll have to. We’ll be having our Thanksgiving dinner Sunday afternoon. Everyone’s work schedules aren’t cooperating for a Thursday get together.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.