Thinking about Thanksgiving

So it's Sunday morning, I'm sitting at the computer with a cup of coffee and a Spam musubi I made yesterday (breakfast of champions!) and all I can think about is the Thanksgiving meal coming up. About a month ago, the Mister, without any provocation from me, blurted out, "I want a turducken for Thanksgiving." I knew he meant business just from his tone. Hoo boy. This is not the first time he's mentioned it before but for some reason, my heart started pounding and all I can think of was how the heck am I going to do this right?

I immediately began my search for a place to order one since I've already researched how to make one last year and wasn't sure I wanted to go that route. Turduckens are a bit expensive, whether you order one or make your own. Granted it's not that much more expensive than getting an organic free-range turkey but the shipping cost if ordering by mail does add up.

I also started to read some reviews on Chow and other food forums and to my surprise, a good number of people didn't care for turduckens, some said it was okay but nothing special. Nothing special? I'm going to pay $130 for a nothing special meal?? Hmmm, let's rethink before I commit. Up to now, I have yet to commit to the Mister, just said I'll look into it, hehe.

I calculated I could make one for about $50-60, including 3 different stuffings. But I would have to start at least 48 hours before dinner to complete this task. Still, no guarantee that we would like it. I mean I think anything with duck would taste wonderful (ahhh, roast duck!) but those "nothing special" comments kept haunting my thoughts. And have you ever had those moments where the more you thought about something the more you talked yourself out of it? Yeah, I was there.

Time for a little chat with the Mister. I told him I was not so worried about the "nothing special" comments but the fact that I won't be off work before Thanksgiving and that it will take some time (bought or homemade) to cook that sucker. And for something this labor intensive, I don't want to be rushed. If I was off that whole week, it would be a different story.

I suggested we (I) try our (my) hands at frying a turkey instead. He agreed. Then I felt bad because I know he had his heart set on it. He even said he would still like to try one someday. So I offered that if he still wants one come Christmas, I'll make one since I'll be off for 2 weeks. The deal was struck.

Oops, now I had to figure out how to fry a turkey without blowing myself up. Ironically, a perfect example of going from the frying pan into the fire. After more research and watching some funny (and very scary) videos on YouTube of stupid people frying turkeys, I decided to order an electric turkey fryer from Masterbuilt. It should be here tomorrow. And the turkey is in the refrigerator, thawing (and a second one in the freezer ready to be thawed).

So after my not-so-short story, here's the menu for Thanksgiving (whew, anyone still awake out there??):

• Fried turkey (or 2)
• Rustic Rolls (made yesterday and in the freezer)
• Red potato and sweet onions
• Candied sweet potatoes (making on Wednesday)
• Cranberry dressing
• Giblet gravy
• Pumpkin Pie (making the pie crust today and freezing)
• Chestnut stuffing (the MIL will be making this)
• Sauteed green beans (MIL, too)

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm planning on making some torpedos using the French bread recipe on Friday for leftover turkey sandwiches!

So what's your Thanksgiving plan?