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Get the Grill out for a Turkey-free Thanksgiving!

Sick of the bother of babysitting a turkey all morning? Have no place to keep
that hefty 20 lb. Butterball? Why not use the grill for Thanksgiving? Pork
chops, chicken breasts, steak, who needs turkey? I know you traditionalists will
think I speak blasphemy, but if you try these ideas this Thanksgiving you won't
be eating Turkey Tetrazinni every day for a week!

1. Grilled barbecue pork chops for Thanksgiving. My family has done this before and
they are a great change of pace. Fire up the grill and slap on some Iowa pork
chops 1 inch thick, bone in for best flavor. Brush with your favorite barbecue
sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling. Pork is done when it is golden
brown. Mmmm! Serve with sweet potatoes fries* and cranberry salad!

2. Grilled chicken breasts for Thanksgiving. Start with some large split chicken
breasts. Enhance the flavor by marinading in ordinary Italian dressing. Place in
pan and pour a bottle of your favorite Italian dressing over them. OR make your
own marinade. I don't usually, but you can let them 'soak' in the marinade over
night. Cook them on a hot grill until they are nicely browned. Chicken is done
when the juices run clear. I tried brushing the chicken with lemon and honey a
few minutes before they were done and my kid loved it. Serve with twice baked
potatoes and pumpkin squares for a new Thanksgiving tradition.

3. Grilled steak for Thanksgiving. Sure beef isn't all that famous for Tryptophan,
the natural substance found in turkey that makes you sleepy. But that means all
the more awake you'll be for the big game! Try t-bones on the grill! Tell your
traditionalist guests that the 'T' stands for Thanksgiving, and get grilling.
Choose some nice sized t-bone steaks. Sure, four of these guys cost about the
same as a turkey, but remember, you are opting out of turkey spin-offs all week!
Place on a hot grill and sprinkle with garlic powder, pepper and salt. Cook to
your desired state of doneness. My favorite is medium-well. Great with a tossed
salad and a beer. Don't forget the Texas toast.

4. Grilled burgers for Thanksgiving. In the past my people have made it a
build-a-burger feast! You can too! Have the guests cook it the way they want it.
You supply all the add-ons like salsa, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup,
onion, hard and soft rolls. Pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert!

5. Other great Thanksgiving grilling ideas include pork or beef ribs, portabello
mushrooms, eggplant or a variety of fish like grilled salmon. Sure thing to
knock the socks off your Thanksgiving guests. Or at least put a little light on
old traditions!

You can find sweet potatoe fries and other side dishes at allrecipes.com.

Learn more about this author, pj Kincaid.
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