The big Holiday Meals are a great time to show off our cooking abilities while still clinging to the traditional favorites. From the Deep Fried Turkey to slow roasted Ham to a rotisserie Goose these classics of the Holidays are food we seldom prepare but expect to get right every time. And this isn't limited to the Christmas Feast, because I know that everyone has their favorite, that one big holiday of the year that is their specialty, their best meal. Now I know that Thanksgiving is upon us in the U.S. and that typically means Turkey, but it isn't limited to that one bird. Every family has its traditional main course for the big holiday in your neighborhood. Anymore so much attention is paid to these single big events and I know that the truth is much more complicated than Food Network would like you to believe, so this weeks question is:

POLL: What's on the Menu this Holiday Season?
1) Turkey
2) Ham
3) Lamb
4) Fowl (goose, duck, etc.)
5) Prime Rib (or other large beef roasts)
6) Fish or Seafood
7) Barbecue (pork, brisket, ribs, etc.)
8) Other (Please Specify in the Comments)

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I did up a couple of beer can chickens recently. This is a great way to make a chicken that everyone loves. Moist and tender this chicken is always perfect. Anyway I was playing around with different beers and got thinking about which beer was best. (Check out the beer forum for further discussion.) So after a little research it got even worse. Wine, crab boil, oil and vinegar marinades, tequila all end up in that birds . . . end. Along with loads of spices and herbs is the magic liquid that makes your beer can chicken better than everyone elses. I know that a lot of people who pop in here have done beer can chickens and certainly know what they are talking about so I thought I would throw out this question this week:

POLL: What do you put in your beer can chicken?
1) Ale
2) Cheap Beer (you know, beer)
3) Crab Boil
4) Hefeweizen
5) Lager
6) Pilsner
7) Stout
8) Water with seasonings
9) Wine
10) Other (Please Specify in the Comments)

Photo ? 2011 Regarding BBQ Inc., licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Grill up a pile of chicken pieces and watch everyone dig through for their favorite pieces. Me, I love thighs, but I know people who will dig out the drumsticks or the chicken breasts. Of course I like breasts fried and thighs grilled, but lets put that aside and get to this weeks question:

POLL: What's your Favorite Piece of Chicken?
1) Breasts
2) Drumsticks
3) Legs
4) Quarters
5) Thighs
6) Wings
7) Whole
8) Other (Please Specify in the Comments)

Photo ? 2011 Derrick Riches, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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