Kickin' it off right: Turducken.

I don't think there is a more American food than a the Turducken. It is the pinnacle of American abundance and absurdity, but if properly prepared, it is also moist and delicious. What other country on earth decides to stuff one bird into another, into another. As if the birds themselves were not enough, between each layer there is, you guessed it, stuffing. Some recipes take this idea too far suggesting that each layer of stuffing contain its own unique animal either crab, oysters or sausage. But, besides over complicating the process, the idea of 6 different meats, birds and fish in one dish is gross. So i present to you my tips to a successful Turducken.


1. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and roast. Roasting can take anywhere from 6-10 hours and prep anywhere from 1-3 hrs.
2. Get your butcher to debone the birds for you. I deboned all three birds myself and however gratifying it was to complete the task, it's just not worth the effort.
3. Make one stuffing. Making a Turducken is a herculean feat in and of itself so there is no need to make 3 different stuffings.
4. Sear the deboned duck and chicken before assembly. This is especially important for the duck because it renders down some of the duck fat. Which is good for two reasons. First, you can put the duck fat in your stuffing. Second, it ensures that there isn't a thick fatty layer in your Turducken.
5. Get some help. Assembly requires two people. (Thanks Karima)
6. Get a smaller Turkey. Most recipes call for a 3-4 lbs. chicken a 5-6 lbs. duck and a 15-20 lbs. turkey. If you used a smaller turkey, say 13 lbs., you can reduce your cooking time greatly and assure that all three meats remain moist.
7. This is critical. Don't go overboard on the stuffing. My sister in her infinite wisdom had been victim to a nasty Turducken and stressed that only a light layer of stuffing should go between each bird and she was right. It also ensures quick and even cooking.

Those are my Turducken tips. For a complete guide on how to make a Turducken check this site out: http://homecooking.about.com/od/turkeyrecipes/ss/turduckensbs.htm. Enjoy these photos and check back often for more updates.