Mexican Drunken Turkey

WaterMelon's Note:

Posted this on request for "cognac-marinated turkey". Total cooking time usually ranges from 2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the turkey. Prep time is a guess, and does not include marinating time. Serving size is also an estimation.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 small turkey
• salt and pepper
• 10 -15 cloves garlic
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons cognac
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup red wine

Directions:

1. Defrost turkey.
2. Remove giblets and wash with cold water inside and out.
3. Pat dry.
4. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and coriander inside and out.
5. Tie the wings and drumsticks.
6. (Ordinary sewing thread will work just fine) Peel the garlic cloves and crush.
7. Mix the crushed garlic with the butter and the cognac.
8. Rub this paste all over the turkey and return the turkey to the refrigerator to marinate for an hour.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
10. Baste the turkey with the chicken broth and wine.
11. Do it gently so you don’t rub off the garlic paste.
12. Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and roast for about 90 minutes, basting frequently with wine and chicken broth.
13. If your oven isn’t very accurate turn the pan a few times during baking.
14. After about 90 minutes of cooking remove the aluminum foil cover.
15. Sprinkle with paprika all over and raise the oven temperature to 500 degrees.
16. Stop basting.
17. This will allow the turkey skin to brown and crisp.
18. Continue cooking until the skin is crisp and not watery or greasy.
19. Flip the turkey so it crisps on the other side as well.
20. If you are butchering your own turkey feed it two glasses of wine or cognac the day before.
21. It really does make a difference in the cooked flavor.