Cubano International Sandwich Recipes

CUBANO SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Split open and quarter 1 loaf French bread. Mix 2 tablespoons each mayonnaise and dijon mustard and spread on the bread. Sandwich with sliced Swiss cheese, deli-style ham, roast pork, pickles and more cheese. Butter the sandwiches, then cook in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, pressing with a heavy skillet, 2 minutes. Flip, reduce the heat to medium low and cook, pressing, until golden, 1 more minute.
• Quick pickles:
• Bring 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 3 tablespoons chopped onion, 1 tablespoon each salt and sugar, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 3 minced garlic cloves to a boil; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Pour over 1 sliced peeled large cucumber in a bowl and stir. Refrigerate 15 minutes.

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.

CUBANO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Spread mustard on the cut sides of the bread. Sandwich with the roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles.
• Brush the outside of the sandwich with melted butter and wrap in foil. Place between 2 baking sheets and press down with an ovenproof skillet. Transfer the sandwich (with the baking sheet and skillet on top) to the oven and bake until warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then unwrap and cut into 4 pieces.

CUBAN SANDWICH (CUBANO)

Steps:

• Heat your skillet or griddle: I like to use two cast iron skillets nested on top of one another, pressing the sandwich in between. To use this method, place both skillets (one on top of the other) over medium heat and let them heat through. If using a panini press set it to medium heat. The skillet or griddle shouldn't be screaming hot, but it should radiate enough heat to toast the bread slowly. If you aren't using the double pan method or a panini press, just use anything you have to weigh the sandwich down - a foil wrapped brick, your spatula, whatever you have will do.
• Serve: Remove your sandwich from the skillet or griddle. Slice your sandwich according to the number of guests you need to serve and serve the sandwich with a handful of chips and a pickle or two. LEFTOVERS! Leftovers should be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator. They may be reheated by cooking the same as above.

CUBANO PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients. Cut roast into thirds; rub with oil. Rub spice mixture over meat; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate, covered, 24 hours., In a large saucepan, combine onion, wine, juices, bay leaf and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 45 minutes. Strain sauce, discarding onion and seasonings., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown roast on all sides; drain. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker. Pour sauce over meat. Cook, covered, on low 8-10 hours or until meat is tender. Remove roast; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices. Shred pork with 2 forks. Return pork to slow cooker; heat through., Preheat oven to 325°. Split bread horizontally. Hollow out bottoms of loaves, leaving 3/4-in. shells. Spread relish and mustard inside shells. Layer with meat and cheese. Replace tops., Wrap sandwiches tightly in heavy-duty foil. Place on baking sheets. Bake 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Cut each crosswise into 12 slices.

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!

CUBANO SANDWICH

Steps:

• Heat a large pan or griddle with the oil to medium heat. Put the tortillas in the pan (in batches if need be) and place a slice of Swiss on each. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of the mustard over the top of each cheese slice. Stack half of the tortillas with 4 ounces of pulled pork followed by 2 slices of ham. Add 4 pickle slices on top of the ham, then top with a second tortilla (with just the cheese) to make a sandwich. Press the sandwiches lightly and allow the cheese to melt, making sure that the tortillas are nice and crispy.
• Slice the sandwiches in half and serve.

CUBANO INTERNATIONAL SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut focaccia bread into 2 rounds.
• Spread cut side of round bread bottom with chipotle mayonnaise.
• Layer sliced chicken breast over mayonnaise.
• Layer sliced ham over chicken breast.
• Layer Swiss cheese over ham.
• Layer bread and butter pickles over Swiss cheese.
• On cut side of round bread top, spread mustard and place on top of the bread and butter pickles.
• Brush top of focaccia bread with oil.
• Place oiled side down onto hot grill pan.
• Top sandwich with heavy pan or skillet and press down. I used a cast iron skillet. Grill until golden brown and crispy.
• Before turning, brush the bread with oil and turn, grill weighing down again with heavy pan or skillet, until golden and crispy and cheese is melted. If you have a panini press or George Foreman grill they can also be used.
• Cut in quarters and serve with your favorite side.