Turkey Cuban Food

CUBAN MOJO SPATCHCOCK TURKEY RECIPE

Steps:

• First things first, make sure you thaw your 14-pound turkey three days before in the fridge. You can't rush this part because a frozen turkey will just not defrost quick enough the day of. Make sure to add a reminder for yourself on your phone to transfer the turkey from the freezer to the fridge 3 days before serving (the Monday before Thanksgiving).
• In a mortar and pestle, mash garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, and pepper together until you get a paste. Transfer to a bowl and combine the garlic mojo marinade with the oil and sour orange juice. Set aside.
• To spatchcock (aka butterfly) the turkey, place the thawed turkey, breast-side down, on a cutting board or baking sheet. Make sure it's sturdy so you don't hurt yourself in this process. Run your hand along the center of the bird to find the backbone.
• Using a pair of very sharp kitchen shears, cut as close to the spine as possible, one side at a time. You may have to use both your hands to cut through the ribs. Once the backbone is cut out, save it for homemade gravy.
• Now, turn the turkey over, breast-side up, and using both hands, one on top of another, press down firmly on the breast until you hear a crack. Transfer the now flattened, spatchcocked turkey to a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Rub the garlic mojo marinade inside and under the skin of the turkey. Pat the skin dry with a paper towel, brush it with olive oil and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Tuck the wing tips behind the turkey breast to prevent them from burning.
• Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 1 1/2 hours (90 minutes) until browned and cooked through. The internal temp should be 165ºF using a food thermometer. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. Enjoy!

TURKEY CUBAN

Steps:

• Whisk together the Dijonnaise and cranberry relish in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Put the bread on a flat surface and spread each slice with some of the Dijonnaise mixture. Top 2 of the slices of bread with 1 slice of the cheese, ham, turkey another slice of cheese and pickles (in that order). Cover with the remaining bread, Dijonnaise side down.
• Heat a hot skillet over medium heat or a panini press. Wrap a brick in heavy duty aluminum foil (if not using a panini press).
• Spread 1 tablespoon of the mayonnaise on the top of each sandwich and add to the skillet, if using, or in a panini press, mayonnaise side down. Put the brick on top of the sandwiches and cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the brick, spread the top of the sandwiches with the remaining mayonnaise, turn over, and return the brick to the sandwiches. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes longer. Cut in half, transfer to serving plates and serve warm.

TURKEY CUBANO

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and another rack directly below it. Place a rimmed baking sheet on each rack. Once the pans are inside, heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise and stir in hot sauce or mustard to taste - it should have a kick. Spread mayonnaise mixture inside the rolls, coating both the top and bottom halves. Layer rolls with turkey, ham, cheese, pepperoncini (if using) and pickle slices.
• Using your hands, press the sandwiches down and make sure nothing slides out. (If it does, poke it back in.) Then, use a brush to butter the top and bottom halves of the rolls.
• Remove a hot baking sheet from the oven and place the sandwiches on top. Layer the other hot baking sheet on top of the sandwiches. Place a small pot cast-iron skillet or other heavy heatproof item on top of that second hot baking sheet to create a press.
• Carefully return to oven and bake until sandwiches are warm, toasted and golden brown and the cheese is melted, 8 to 13 minutes. (You'll have to lift off the second pan to check on the sandwiches.) Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

MOJO CUBANO BRINE

Steps:

• Thaw turkey in refrigerator for 3 days.
• Remove neck and giblets from cavity.
• Place the bird in a x-large cooking bag.
• Using your hands, thoroughly rub the marinade into the bird and fill the cavity.
• Secure cooking bag with twist tie.
• Allow bird to marinate in the refrigerator for at least one day in advance of cooking.
• Reserve the remaining half of the marinade.
• Preheat the oven to 500°F.
• Remove the bird from the marinade, reserving the marinade.
• Place the bird on a rack on a roasting pan.
• Fill the cavity with the limes, oranges, onion and cilantro& thyme sprigs.
• Put it in the hot oven.
• Caramelize the exterior of the bird, leaving the interior undone.
• Pour the used marinade over the bird and reduce the oven heat to 300, Roast real slowly for up to 3 hours or until interior reaches 160 degrees.
• Remove from oven and cover with foil until ready to carve.
• Don't let the meat get cold.
• Slice in 1/4 inch medallions, drizzled with reserved marinade.

GRILLED TURKEY CUBAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise and chili sauce in small bowl. Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, mint, and next 4 ingredients in another small bowl.
• Spread chili mayonnaise over cut sides of bread. Top each bottom half of bread with 1 cheese slice, ham slices, and 1 turkey slice. Sprinkle turkey with salt and pepper. Spoon mint mayonnaise over turkey. Top with remaining cheese and top halves of bread.
• Working in batches, melt 2 tablespoons butter in large griddle over medium heat. Add 3 sandwiches; top with piece of foil. Place 13x9x2-inch metal pan atop sandwiches. Fill pan with 6 to 8 pounds of canned goods and cook until bread is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove pan with weights and foil. Transfer sandwiches to work surface. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in griddle. Turn sandwiches over onto griddle. Replace foil and pan with weights. Continue cooking until cheese melts and sandwiches are golden brown on second side, about 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining butter and sandwiches. Cut in half; serve.