Xmas Bird in a bird in a bird.......

[hab1966]

Found out earlier that a local butcher is taking orders for Bird in a bird... for Xmas. I've seen the likes of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall do one of these on the TV, but his was something like 7 birds. This Xmas I quite fancy something like this as a change, but am unsure of the birds on offer.

I can pick any of the following -
Turkey
Chicken
Duck
Goose (warned this will be expensive)
Pheasant
Guinea Fowl
Partridge.

I've only eaten Turkey and Chicken out of the list and dont really want chicken. I was thinking of taking three birds, so turkey and two others. I'm thinking option 1 - turkey, partridge and pheasant or option 2 - turkey, duck and one other possible Guinea Fowl or Pheasant.

Just wondered what thoughts people had on the choices?

[Plotloss]

Pheasant inside a duck inside a turkey.

[grumbledoak]

Happily, the physical size of the birds means that not every combination need be considered.
You might want to follow a recipe, mind, as cooking time will be hard to guess in advance...

Some ideas here: http://www.answers.com/topic/stuffing, or in Hugh Fearnley-Wottsit's book.

ETA - recipe: http://shop.rivercottage.net/recipes/recipe.jsp?re...

Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 31st October 15:03

[Wadeski]

known as a Turducken in America.

trouble is, different cooking times and temperatures tend to result in some badly cooked bird. your better off just cooking one nice bird, tbh.

[Vesuvius 996]

I usually like a good goose, and then a cock in a plump breasted bird at Xmas.

[MentalSarcasm]

I know it says Thanksgiving, but watch it anyway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Do_LYMtJ0

[deevlash]

the definitive answer to this post
HFW river cottage 10 bird roast

[hab1966]

Thanks for the answers.

I must admit, as mentioned above, the cooking time is a bit of a concern on one of these 'birds'. I'll probably play safe and stick with a good turkey.

[grumbledoak]

hab1966 said:

Thanks for the answers.

I must admit, as mentioned above, the cooking time is a bit of a concern on one of these 'birds'. I'll probably play safe and stick with a good turkey.

Don't 'play safe', that's boring. Use someone else's recipe, or get a thermometer - 80 degrees C is 'your friend'.

Good friends will wait half an hour, or laugh and phone for pizza!

[hab1966]

I decided not to be boring afterall and ordered turkey, duck and pheasant. Butchers wife advises to cook the bird the night before and then just warm the sliced meat up on the day.

Quite looking forward to it, just got to select some decent wine.

[robbo3112]

Speaking as a chef of many years experience this recipe is culinary bullshit taken to extreme, cook it by all means - especially if you want to be laid up in bed on Boxing Day - the nature of the birds plus the excessive handling required to build the dish plus the fact that by the time the inside bird is fully cooked salmonella could have developed to unacceptable levels!! I fail to see any advantage from a taste point of view ( unless of course you need to show kitchen superiority to your guests??) Far better to roast say a Capon, Duck & a brace of Pheasants!!

[muppetdave]

How much are you paying if you don't mind me asking. My parents rear their own turkeys and have access to the others easily - but Mum said she'd been quoted something in the region of £150 when she asked in the butchers out of interest!!! Disgusting price if that's what you really want to do!

[hab1966]

Im paying around £30 for the three bird combo. Its enough for 1 main meal for two people, and there will be leftovers for a smaller meal or well filled butties.

[muppetdave]

Ah ok, she'd have probably been quoted for something for at least ten people I'd guess, if not bigger.

[broadhat]

Had a 3 bird roast last year - was OK for something different, but back to a turkey this year.
Got it from these people

[Reidy10_0]

Sorry, i thought this was girl in girl.

[LaSarthe+Back]

Vesuvius 996 said:

I usually like a good goose, and then a cock in a plump breasted bird at Xmas.

late out of the blocks here but have a

[krusty]

I've ordered a 'Ballentine' Bird for Christmas from Evans Butchers in Alresford, Hampshire. They offered me 5 birds. Pidgeon or Partridge (I chose Partridge) Chicken, Duck, Pheasant and Turkey. They are not putting the skin of the other birds inside (Specifically the Duck) as they said the fat migrates into the other meats.
Quite looking forward to it, haven't had one before.

[mcflurry]

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_4314.htm

[deadslow]

Turkey in a guinea fowl might count as a christmas miracle.