Cubano Pork Burgers Recipes

CUBAN-STYLE BURGERS ON THE GRILL

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high. Form the meat into 4 (1/4-inch thick) burgers. Season the meat with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes on both sides for medium doneness. When the burgers are done, remove from the heat and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise and roasted garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread both sides of each bun with mayonnaise and mustard. Place a slice of cheese on the bottom portion of each bun, place the burger on top of the cheese, then top the cheese with a slice of ham and another slice of cheese, and finally, the pickle slices. Place the tops of the bun over the pickles, wrap the burgers in aluminum foil, and place them on the grill. Using a heavy pan or a brick wrapped in foil, press down on the burgers for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Lower the lid on the grill and continue grilling for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bun has become pressed and firm.

CUBAN SANDWICH BURGERS

Steps:

• Prepare grill for medium heat. Place a large cast-iron skillet on grill grates., In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-in.-thick patties. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°, 5-7 minutes on each side. , Combine mayonnaise, mustard, remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; spread over cut sides of buns. Place burgers on bun bottoms; top with Swiss cheese, ham, pickles and bun tops. Using oven mitts, carefully place preheated skillet on sandwiches. Grill sandwiches, covered, until buns are browned and cheese is melted, 5-8 minutes.

JUICY CUBAN MOJO PORK ROAST (CHEF MOVIE RECIPE)

Steps:

• Combine Marinade ingredients in a food processor and blend until the herbs and garlic are finely chopped. Alternatively, you can finely chop/mince the garlic and herbs then mix all ingredients in a bowl.
• Place in a large ziplock bag with the pork. Place in the fridge overnight (in a bowl, just to be safe).
• Remove the pork from the Marinade and leave on counter for 1 hour (bring to room temp). Reserve the Marinade.
• Preheat oven to 220°C/425°F (200°C fan).
• Roast, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Base with pan juices.
• Reduce heat to 190°C/375°F (170°C). Roast for another 1 1/2 - 2 hours, basting every half hour, until the internal temperature reaches 70°/160°F. At this temperature, the pork is cooked, still juicy, and carvable, as it is intended to be (Note 1)
• Fall-apart tender alternative (not slicable, meat falls apart): Roast at 160°C/320°F (all oven types) for 3 1/2 hours, or until the meat can be easily shredded using 2 forks (check on side).
• Remove from the oven and place on a plate, loosely covered with foil. Rest for 20 minutes before serving with the Mojo Sauce on the side. I decorated mine with pan fried slices of oranges and extra cilantro/coriander leaves.

CUBANO PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil an oven-proof pan large enough to fit the tenderloin over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parsley and mustard. Transfer to a bowl and season with pepper.
• Place tenderloin on a flat work surface. Slice horizontally through the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. Open the 2 sides and spread them out like an open book. Place pork between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a 1/2-inch thickness. Trim any extra pieces so the tenderloin is rectangular.
• Chop the pork trimmings finely and add to the onion mixture. Spread onion mixture onto pork. Lay ham slices over it and sprinkle Gruyere cheese on top. Roll tenderloin up along the long side. Tie with cotton kitchen string. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Sear tenderloin in the hot oil until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
• Transfer pan to the preheated oven and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the tenderloin reads 145 degrees F (71 degrees C), 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

CUBAN-STYLE PORK BURGERS

Steps:

• Finely chop chorizo in a food processor or with a large knife. Gently mix together ground pork, chopped chorizo, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, green pepper, garlic and salt. Shape into 6 patties about 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. Prepare a grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat, about 450 degrees F. Grill burgers, with the lid closed, for 5 minutes. Turn and finish cooking for 4 to 5 minutes more, until cooked through or until the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F on a digital meat thermometer. Remove from grill. Toast buns on the grill, about 1 minute per side. Build burgers on buns with 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing, 1/3 cup shoestring potatoes and one lettuce leaf. Serve immediately.

CUBANO PORK BURGERS

Steps:

• In a big bowl, mix the ground pork, half the chopped garlic, half the orange zest, cumin, coriander, mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Evenly divide meat mixture into 4 portions; form 4 large patties about 1-inch thick.
• Preheat a skillet with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over med-high heat.
• Add patties to hot skillet; cook for 6 minutes.
• Flip and top each patty with three pickle slices, a slice of ham, and a slice of cheese.
• Cook patties for another 5-6 minutes.
• Place a foil tent over the pan for the last 2 minutes or so to ensure the cheese melts and the fixings heat up.
• While the patties are cooking, make the slaw: preheat a large skillet with the remaining vegetable oil.
• Add the remaining garlic and sliced onion to the hot oil; cook for 1 minute.
• Add in the remaining zest, orange juice, red wine vinegar, and honey; continue cooking for 1 minute.
• Turn the heat off and add the coleslaw mixture, red bell pepper, cilantro, parsley, and salt/pepper to taste, tossing to coat in the warm dressing.
• Serve burgers on Portuguese rolls with the sweet orange warm slaw on top of the burger and alongside.