Originally Posted by
JBord
I couldn't agree more. Unless it's deep fried, a whole turkey seems to be one of those things that people eat out of respect for tradition but wish that it were anything else. But the sides are another story, usually the star of a Thanksgiving meal.
For a smaller group, if you must have turkey, consider roasting a turkey breast. I've done that for 3 people in the past. But I fully support breaking from tradition. This year our Thanksgiving is with my in-laws, and we've agreed no turkey. My mother in law is still deciding, but I'm guessing beef.
I have spent a few Thanksgivings at Disneyland feasting on a Monte Cristo sandwich or their awesome corn dogs. Sometimes we would then cook a small turkey or breast the day after Disneyland or the weekend before .
Even small turkeys can be too much food...a couple years ago I did a capon instead. It was hard to find and I spatchcocked and grilled it but I overcooked it. Still a tasty bird. I know some people do Cornish hens for Thanksgiving. Prime rib sounds like a good Thanksgiving too.