Cuban Cristo Recipes

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• On a work surface, lay out 2 slices of bread and spread with mayonnaise. Top each slice with the 1 slice of Gouda and 1 slice of turkey each. Put the third slice of bread on top of one stack, and flip the remaining stack on top, cheese-side down, to make a triple-decker sandwich.
• Using a knife, cut the crusts off the sandwich (this helps to pinch and seal the ends). Wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours. (Wrapping the sandwich in plastic wrap, compacts it, and prevents the egg batter from seeping in.)
• Combine the eggs and milk in a bowl. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Unwrap the sandwich and dip it in the egg batter, to coat evenly. Gently place it in the skillet, and fry, turning once, until golden brown and hot, about 5 minutes total.
• Cut the Monte Cristo in 1/2, transfer it to a place, and garnish with the strawberry and orange. Spoon some jam over each 1/2 and serve immediately.

CHEF JOHN'S CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and cayenne together in a bowl to make the sauce.
• Trim off ends of bread. Cut loaf in half and evenly split bread to make tops and bottoms of 2 sandwiches. Spread each half on both sides generously with the mayo/mustard sauce.
• Divide sandwich ingredients between the two bottom halves in this order: 2 slices Swiss cheese, 3 slices ham, hot cooked pork, pickle slices, and 2 more slices of Swiss cheese. Place tops on sandwiches.
• Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and press down with a heavy weight (such as another skillet or foil-wrapped bricks). Toast sandwiches until bread is crisp and filling is heated through, 3 or 4 minutes per side.

EASY CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Place the pork tenderloin on the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl whisk the olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic cloves, oregano, and cumin together and pour over the pork.
• Cook for 30 to 40 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF. Thinly slice the meat and set aside.
• Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise and then cut into 4 equal parts.
• Begin layering the ingredients by adding half of the cheese to the bottom layer of the sandwich bread. Top with the smoked ham, sliced pork, and pickles. Place the remaining cheese on top. Spread mustard on the top piece of bread and place on the sandwich.
• Melt the butter in a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and set a heavy skillet, such as an iron skillet, on top of the sandwiches to press them down. Once toasted flip the sandwich and repeat.
• Slice the sandwiches in half before servings.

CUBAN CRISTO

Steps:

• 1. Mix together the batter ingredients, eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
• 2. Layer the sandwich on the bread. Begin with spreading mustard on the bread. Then add the ham, turkey, and Provolone cheese.
• 3. Next, add pickles and bacon.
• 4. Melt butter in the pan on low to medium heat.
• 5. Dip sandwich into batter.
• 6. Place in the melted butter and fry until golden brown (about 4 minutes on each side). Can deep or shallow fry if you want.
• 7. Serve with jelly or sauces. Jalapeno jelly would give it a kick.

CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• To prepare the Cuban, butter the top and bottom interior side of each baguette and place in a skillet over medium heat to brown and crisp the bread. Once browned, remove the baguettes from the skillet and begin to layer each sandwich with 1 tablespoon mustard, 4 ounces pulled pork, 2 slices pickle, 2 to 3 ounces ham and 2 slices Swiss cheese. After stacking the sandwiches, return the skillet to the stove over medium heat and warm with the oil. Add the sandwiches in batches and weigh down with a heavy skillet. Grill until crisp on the exterior, 1 to 2 minutes. Then flip and repeat the process on the second side. Once cooked on both sides, remove and repeat with the remaining sandwiches, then serve.

MONTE CUBANO

Steps:

• Spread 1 slice of bread with mustard and top with pickles, meats, and cheese. Mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt, then mix with mayonnaise. Spread on remaining slice of bread and assemble sandwich.
• Beat together egg, milk, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then soak sandwich in egg mixture.
• Melt butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium-low heat. Cook sandwich, uncovered, until underside is well browned, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook remaining side, covered, until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 1 minute.

CLASSIC MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• Pair with homemade french fries , a side salad, and a pickle, and enjoy.