What protein should I make for my Holiday dinner?

Question

I don't want to make anything with red meat in it. Turkey,
Fish, Chicken, Duck, and Tofu are o.k. Any ideas? Needs to be delicious.

Answer 1

If you want to try something different, you might try Goose. High-end markets have them. Roast Christmas Goose used to be a classic dish.

Answer 2

At this point, spend more and buy a fresh turkey. I doubt you'll have time to thaw a frozen one for Christmas Day.


Perfect Roast Turkey

1 fresh turkey (12 pounds)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch of fresh thyme
1 lemon, halved
3 Spanish onions
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick), melted
1/2 cup good olive oil
8 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
10 red new potatoes, halved
3 heads fennel, fronds removed, cut into wedges through the core

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Take the giblets out of the turkey and wash the turkey inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outside dry. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, lemon, one of the onions (quartered), and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey. Peel and slice the remaining onions, toss them with 1/4 cup olive oil, and scatter them around the turkey.

Roast the turkey for 1 hour. Toss the carrots, potatoes, and fennel with 1/4 cup olive oil and add to the roasting pan. Continue to roast for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Remove the turkey to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil; let rest for 20 minutes.

Stir the vegetables and return the pan to the oven. Continue to cook the vegetables while the turkey rests. Slice the turkey and serve on a platter with the roasted vegetables. Serves 8.

--Ina Garten

Answer 3

Pork isn't technically red meat, so I usually enjoy a holiday ham. I think chicken isn't really unique enough for a holiday meal. I like the fish idea, but not everyone likes it. Duck would be probably be my preferred option out of those, because it's different, but tastes excellent when cooked well.

Answer 4

I guess it depends on what you like...my family does the turkey & ham but I have no contoll over that lol. Me personally would do tofu just because I love it so much and i know alot of good recipies. My boyfriends family are vegeterian and they do like Tofo cordon Blu type thing, like Tofu stuffed with mozerella, tomatoes, spices and all types of stuff which i thought was delicious. You can also do fish which is very easy.

Here is one tofu recipie i have

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 (16 ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained, rinsed and cut crosswise into eight 1/2-inch-thick slices
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 large shallots, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
6 cups sliced cremini or white mushrooms
1/2 cup dry Marsala wine (see Ingredient note)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Whisk 1/4 cup cornstarch, flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Pat tofu with paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge 4 tofu slices in the flour mixture, add them to the pan and cook until crispy and golden, about 3 minutes per side. Place the tofu on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven to keep warm. Repeat with another tablespoon of oil and the remaining tofu, adjusting the heat if necessary to prevent scorching.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, shallots and thyme to the pan. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the shallots are slightly soft and beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until tender and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in Marsala and simmer until slightly reduced, about 1 minute.
Whisk the remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch with broth and tomato paste in a small bowl. Stir into the mushroom mixture, return to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and glossy, about 4 minutes. To serve, spoon the hot sauce over the tofu.

on thanksgiving (since people eat alot) that will probally serve about 3 -4 i've made it it's really good.

Answer 5

Fish. Try oven baked Atlantic salmon. Coat it with a mixture of fresh lemon juice, a little olive oil, your favorite herb, a little salt and pepper and make sure you do not overcook it. Rice and salad on the side is a good idea. Happy Holidays!

Answer 6

Just the traditional turkey. Don't mess with success. Try something new on a less important holiday.

Answer 7

Turkey is pretty traditional...
Duck is a memorable Holiday dinner. Duck L'orange (with orange sauce) will be something that people talk over and over about.

Answer 8

turkey with lowfat butter covering it with mrs. dash (no sodium in it) then put it on 300 for about four hours and use a spoon and put the juice over it about 10 times in that 4 hours

Answer 9

at our house we do christmas the Italian way. ....we serve lasagna (usually vegetable with lots of cheeses), with salad, garlic bread, and other veggies....

Its worked for us for over 18 yrs

Answer 10

turkey