Turkey recipes to please everyone
Fortunately, eating a big meal with family and friends is sure to be accepted by everyone, turkey recipes and all.
Eating a big meal with family and friends is sure to be accepted by everyone. Crédito: Flickr
Being part of a blended couple can make navigating the holidays difficult. Maybe you’re used to a traditional spread on Thanksgiving, complete with turkey recipes, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, but your Hispanic partner might not consider it as big of a deal as you do.
If your partner’s family emigrated to the United States, he or she might not even celebrate the holiday at all. The trick is to let you get the most out of Thanksgiving without forcing your partner to take part in traditions that he or she doesn’t understand or doesn’t feel comfortable with. Fortunately, eating a big meal with family and friends is sure to be accepted by everyone, turkey recipes and all.
The easiest way to cook a turkey is to roast it, which is the cooking method most turkey recipes call for. Frozen turkeys from the supermarket come with a popper that allows you to determine if it’s ready to eat. Simply place the turkey in the roaster, brush the skin with butter or cooking oil, and season as desired. Salt and pepper is a simple combination, but turkey also pairs well with sage, citrus, thyme, paprika, garlic, and parsley. Roast the bird according to the package directions or the instructions on your turkey recipes. In general, it will take three to six hours for a stuffed bird, depending on size.
Other turkey recipes call for brining the bird. This involves soaking the turkey for several hours in a salt and liquid solution. Brining gives the meat moisture and flavor once its cooked. For a smaller crowd, try turkey recipes that suggest cooking a turkey breast rather than the entire bird. Place it is a roasting pan and add the herbs and spices of your choice. Throw in a couple of chopped potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, onions, butternut squash, or bell peppers, and cook through. Serve with your favorite trimmings.
If you can’t give up the bird, try giving the meal a twist. Roast that turkey and make your favorite side dishes, but add a few Hispanic ones. After all, who’s going to complain about more food on the table? Make a batch of stuffing with poblanos and chorizo, serve a pile of warm corn tortillas alongside the rolls, offer a dish of pureed squash, and serve pumpkin flan after the main meal.
