Turducken? (homemade, chef, expensive, chickens)

[ssg II]

Been wanting to serve this for Thanksgiving, but wimp out every year. Should I go for it? Any comments?

[Chinolala]

I've never made it, but had in when I lived in Louisiana and it's good. Go for it!

[BlueWillowPlate]

I had it at a cousin's for Christmas.
They are both good cooks; it seemed like carving was more work than anything else.
The novelty of it was fun.

[HIF]

I have thought about having one, too!

Cil- aren't all of the birds deboned? You mean there are three birds stuffed inside one another all with full bones? That sounds terrible.

Well, if they do make them deboned, I would like to know where to buy one. I don't want to put it together- just buy one that I can prepare with spices, etc. and cook.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Oh yeah, they were deboned, but they were inside of each other, and I think my cousin was concerned about presentation--their Christmas dinners are legendary, he had appearances to keep up.
I know they sent away for their turducken, but I have no idea where.

[litlux]

I ordered one and served it for Thanksgiving several years ago. My opinion was that it was less tasty than a traditional bird, and not quite as easy to serve as one would think.

It was a novelty, not a treat, and if you need a conversation starter at Thanksgiving, this is a good way to do it.

It was also pretty expensive. I wouldn't consider doing it again.

If you want to do something special, I would think of a Roast Suckling Pig or a Roasted Goose. I've done both in the past (the pig was real work, though).

[kuan]

It's not too difficult. Start learning now by boning a few chickens. You can find some techniques online. You can do it all with a paring knife. Briefly, here's how I do it.

1) Cut down both sides of the wishbone, remove, and cut through the shoulder joints.

2) Start peeling the skin back, using the paring knife to help with scraping the meat off the bone.

3) At the thigh joints, use your might to break the thigh joint.

4) Scrape the meat down until you get to the drumstick.

5) Cut through the joint and remove the thighbone.

6) Scrape the drumstick until you reach the knuckle.

7) You can do two things now.

a) Using the bolster of a chef's knife, chop through the knucklebone.
b) Pull the bone through and cut through the skin.

8) Repeat with other side.

[newtothis]

Originally Posted by litlux

I ordered one and served it for Thanksgiving several years ago. My opinion was that it was less tasty than a traditional bird, and not quite as easy to serve as one would think.

It was a novelty, not a treat, and if you need a conversation starter at Thanksgiving, this is a good way to do it.

It was also pretty expensive. I wouldn't consider doing it again.

If you want to do something special, I would think of a Roast Suckling Pig or a Roasted Goose. I've done both in the past (the pig was real work, though).

I don't think i have the proper clothes to wear while dining on a "roasted goose" lol ... makes me think of dickens tales or something! all dressed in their Sunday best. lol

[Claire_F]

Love, love, love turducken - but I'll never attempt to do it myself. Some things are worth paying for.

You can order one from Hebert's - I highly recommend them. They also have many other products to choose from, such as stuffed turkeys and chickens. A word of warning, though - it's pricey to ship it!

[home*sweet*home]

I had one a couple of years ago - the family consensus is that it was good, but they'd rather have a traditional turkey and homemade stuffing.

I think it would be better served at another holiday - NOT Thanksgiving which has so many traditions!