Cuban Cracker Sandwiches Recipes

CUBAN CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Place chicken tenders between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet until flattened out. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag and add enough mojo marinade to cover the chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or up to overnight.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken tenders from the marinade, drain, and place in the skillet. Cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Add sliced onions to the same skillet, adding a bit more oil if necessary, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet.
• Cut Cuban bread into 4 rolls. Slice each in half lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Cover the bottom and the top of each roll with yellow mustard. Assemble the sandwich by placing pickle slices on the bottom, followed by chicken, Swiss cheese, and onion. Cut each sandwich in half at an angle, and serve.

RITZ CUBAN MINIS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler on HIGH. Set an oven rack about 5 to 6 inches from the heat source. Line a large baking sheet with foil.
• With two forks, break apart any large chunks of the packaged pulled pork. Place the pork between several layers of paper towels and press, to get it as dry as possible. (This will help prevent the cracker from softening before serving.)
• To assemble sandwiches: Place 20 RITZ Crackers, flat side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Top each with approximately 1 tablespoon pulled pork. Next, fold a 1/2 slice of ham into thirds and place on top of pulled pork. Then, top ham with the quarter-slices of baby Swiss cheese.
• Place the baking sheet 6-inches under the broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from broiler.
• Top each mini bite with a 1/2 pickle slice and about 1/2 tsp. mustard then top with remaining crackers, flat side down.
• Optional: Gently insert a fancy toothpick into the middle hole of the RITZ Cracker to help hold it together.
• Serve immediately.

'CUBAN' CRACKER SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Top 6 crackers with ham, cheese, pickles and mustard; cover each with second cracker.
• Place on microwaveable plate.
• Microwave on HIGH 10 sec. or until cheese begins to melt.

SPICY STACKED CUBAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• HEAT grill to medium heat.
• DRAIN pickles on paper towels. Meanwhile, cut cheese slices crosswise in half, then lenthwise into thirds. (You will get 6 pieces from each cheese slice.) Mix cream cheese, chili sauce and pepper until well blended.
• TOP each of 24 crackers with 1 cheese piece, 1/2 tsp. cream cheese mixture, 1 ham piece and 1 pickle; cover with second cheese piece and cracker. Wrap 6 sandwiches in heavy-duty foil. Repeat with remaining sandwiches to make 4 packets. Place in cooler for transporting to tailgating party or other destination.
• HEAT grill to medium heat. Grill packets 8 to 10 min. or until cheese begins to melt, turning after each minute.
• Substitute:
• Prepare using OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast.
• Use Your Oven:
• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Assemble and wrap stacks as directed. Bake 5 to 7 min. or until cheese is melted.
• Make Ahead:
• Prepare foil packets as directed. Refrigerate until ready to grill.

THE ULTIMATE CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Begin by braising the pork shoulder. Tie the shoulder in 4 places with kitchen twine so it will hold its shape while being cooked or ask your butcher to do this for you. Season the pork with salt, pepper, cumin and oregano. Set the base of a pressure cooker over low-medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil.
• Add garlic and chili flakes and as the oil heats up it will become fragrant and infuse the oil. Add the pork. Add onions around the pork and brown slightly before adding orange juice, lime juice, stock and bay leaves.
• Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and cook for 20 to 25 minutes depending on the size of your pressure cooker. The pork should be tender when done. When done allow to cool in juices before removing twine and slicing.
• To prepare Cuban sandwiches, split bread in half then layer the sandwich with mustard, cheese, pickles, ham, pork then cheese again (the cheese glues everything together). Season with salt and pepper in between the ham and pork layers. (Optional: drizzle a little of the pork braising liquid over the meat as well).
• To cook, heat a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and top with another heavy skillet and a couple of heavy weights (bricks, or cans of tomatoes work well). Press down firmly and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the sandwich has compressed to about a third of its original size and the bread is super-crispy. Serve with beans, rice and plantain chips.

CUBAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Slice off about 1-inch from the ends of the bread loaves and discard or save for breadcrumbs. Cut each loaf in half to make 4 rectangular loaves. Split each loaf in half lengthwise. Spread the inside of the bread with 1/2-tablespoon mustard. On each of the bottom halves of bread layer 1/4 of the ham, pickle slices cut to fit evenly on top of the meat, 1/4 of the pork, and top with 1/4 of the cheese. Cover with the top halves of bread and, using your hands, press the sandwiches together.
• Place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 250 degrees F. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Place 2 sandwiches in the skillet and top with another cast-iron skillet to weigh them down. Turn the sandwiches and weigh them down again. Cook the sandwiches until golden brown and hot, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches and butter. Cut the sandwiches in half crosswise and serve immediately.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• In a food processor, combine the peppercorns, garlic, and cloves and puree. While the motor is running, drizzle in the oil until a paste is formed. Using a rubber spatula, scrap the garlic paste into a small bowl.
• Place the pork butt on a work surface and season all over generously with salt. Rub all over with the garlic paste. Place in an oven-safe roasting bag and close with a twist tie. Place in a large roasting pan, and cook until tender, about 5 hours.

ORIGINAL CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut Cuban bread to desired size, common size is 7 inches. Next, slice open the bread down the middle. On the topside of the bread spread 1-ounce of mustard, evenly across. Then place 4 pickles on top of the mustard. You then place 1 slice of Swiss cheese on top of the pickles. Slice ham to desired thickness, recommended size is 1 1/2 ounces per slice, the thinner the better. Now fold each slice of ham in half and place evenly on bottom of bread. On top of the ham, place slices of roast pork, 1 1/2 ounces per slice. You then join both halves of the sandwich. You are now ready to grill your Cuban sandwich.
• Use a sandwich grill if you have one, a waffle iron if not. Spread butter on top of the bread evenly. Close the grill, smashing the sandwich. Leave sandwich in the grill until top of bread turns to a golden brown, and top is crisp. Approximate time is 4 to 6 minutes. After the sandwich is crispy and the cheese has melted, remove the sandwich carefully and slice it diagonally, from corner to corner. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN!

GRILLED CUBAN PORK PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Between pieces of plastic wrap, gently pound pork with flat side of meat mallet until very thin. Place in glass baking dish. In small bowl, mix dressing, lime peel and oregano. Spread over pork; turn pork to coat. Let stand while heating contact grill.
• Heat closed medium-size contact grill for 5 minutes. Position drip tray to catch drippings. Place pork on grill. Close grill; cook 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Meanwhile, place cheese on cut sides of roll bottoms; top with ham, pleating to fit. Spread mustard and pickle relish on cut sides of bun tops. Place grilled pork on ham; place roll tops, relish sides down, on pork. Press down firmly on tops of sandwiches (sandwiches are thick).
• Carefully wipe off grill plates; spray with cooking spray. Place sandwiches on grill. Carefully close grill so tops of rolls don't slip off sandwiches. Gently press top of grill until sandwiches are compressed. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until rolls are toasted and cheese is melted.