Thanksgiving Recipes: How to Cook a Turkey

There are many ways to cook everyone’s favorite holiday bird. Each family has its own special technique for cooking a turkey, whether it's using an old family recipe, adding a secret ingredient or shopping at a certain store in town that helps make the turkey taste all the better.

If you don't want to make your own turkey and trimmings, and you live in or near Madison, you have several options. One is Elizabeth's Cafe at 885 Boston Post Road in Madison. Call 203-245-0250 to find out more.

Madison Beach Hotel is offering both a Thanksgiving buffet and a "Thanksgiving to go."

The Madison Beach Hotel will offer an exquisite Thanksgiving Buffet featuring a myriad of traditional Thanksgiving dishes from a Turkey with Gravy and Cranberry Orange Relish to Glazed Ham with Honey Dijon Sauce.  Entrée selections range from traditional stuffing to Sautéed Chicken Breast with Tomato, Peppers and Onions and Roasted Pork Loin with Caramelized Carrots.  Finish off your indulgent meal with a delicious Pumpkin Pie, Maple Bread Pudding, Cranberry Linzertorte, Pumpkin Layer Cake or New York Style Cheesecake. The hotel will also be offering a complete “Thanksgiving To Go” meal option.

The buffet is on Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m at the Madison Beach Hotel, at 84 West Wharf Road, in Madison, CT. The cost for the prix fixe  dinner is $42 per adult, $21 per child, and children under 6 are free. “Thanksgiving To Go” is $29 per person. Reservations are required. Please call (203) 245-1404 for more information.

Do you know of other places that are serving Thanksgiving dinner or offering Thanksgiving-to-go? Let us know in the comments.

Many in Madison, however, seem content to make their own. If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, you can try any of the recipes below to add a new kick to your feast. If you're attending someone else’s dinner, hopefully their turkey will taste as good as one of these!

• Greek Traditional Turkey (with Chestnut and Pine Nut Stuffing)

Just the name of this recipe makes my mouth water. An Allrecipes.com user contributes this Greek take on turkey, which combines ground beef and pork with tangerine juice, rice and other ingredients for an in-bird stuffing. This one requires no pre-made brine.

• Deep-Fried Cajun Turkey

Emeril Lagasse’s recipe for a Cajun-spiced turkey is not for those looking for a simple roast bird this Thanksgiving. It calls for the equipment and safety precautions necessary to deep-fry a good-sized bird, but for those looking for a little extra flavor and adventure this year, this may be the perfect alternative to the oven. The results will undoubtedly be delicious, but be sure to heed the safety tips at the bottom of the recipe before attempting. If you want the Cajun flavors without the hassle, risk and calories of deep-frying, try this recipe from Jimmy Bannos.

• Indian-Spiced Roast Turkey

This recipe calls for the use of a turkey breast roast, but variations can be worked out fairly easily for a smaller whole bird or even diced meat for a stir-fry or bake. I’ve made chicken dishes with a very similar yogurt marinade to this one and the key is letting the meat soak up the sauce overnight. The flavors are intense and aromatic, and will definitely lend themselves to a unique Thanksgiving meal.

• Evil Turkey

This recipe’s name—and its use of whiskey—intrigued me. A flavorful blend of unconventional ingredients make this dish sound delicious and feasible, and it requires fairly simple preparation. Check out the chef’s note to see how you can use a crock pot for a quicker, easier version of this recipe. Some of the user comments also have great ideas for stuffings that use the same components.

If you're in the mood for something more traditional this year, try this recipe:

• Good Eats Roast Turkey

The Food Network’s Alton Brown brings us this fairly simple (for a whole turkey) and by-the-book recipe, which uses a brine peppered with allspice berries and candied ginger. It takes about 10 hours of total cooking time, not including defrosting.

TELL US: What is your favorite way to cook a turkey on Thanksgiving? Do you use any special ingredients? Write your comments in the comment section below.