Classic Cuban Sandwich Recipes

CLASSIC CUBAN MIDNIGHT (MEDIANOCHE) SANDWICH

Steps:

• Split the sandwich rolls in half, and spread mustard and mayonnaise liberally onto the cut sides. On each sandwich, place and equal amount of Swiss cheese, ham and pork in exactly that order. Place a few pickles onto each one, and put the top of the roll onto the sandwich. Brush the tops with melted butter.
• Press each sandwich in a sandwich press heated to medium-high heat. If a sandwich press is not available, use a large skillet over medium-high heat, and press the sandwiches down using a sturdy plate or skillet. Some indoor grills may be good for this also. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, keeping sandwiches pressed. If using a skillet, you may want to flip them once for even browning. Slice diagonally and serve hot.

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 SANDWICH

Steps:

• Slice the bread horizontally in half, leaving 1 edge intact. Lay the bread open and spread each side with the mustard. Divide the ingredients evenly among the slices of roll. Start with the ham followed by the pork, cheese, and dill pickles. Bring the tops and bottoms together.
• Heat your panini maker or sandwich press. Butter each side of the press. Place the sandwiches inside, press down and grill until the cheese is melted and the bread is flat and browned, approximately 10 minutes. If you don't have a sandwich press, you can heat 6 fireplace bricks wrapped in foil, in a 500 degrees F oven for 1 hour and then press the sandwich between them for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

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.

CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Slice roll lengthwise. Spread mustard on both sides. Arrange pickle slices. Top with roast pork, ham, and Swiss cheese. Grill 3 to 5 minutes on sandwich press until outside is crunchy. If no sandwich press is available you can press between two cutting boards or two pans.

CLASSIC CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker, preferably with pecan wood, to 200 degrees F.
• Coat the ham with the garlic, cumin and liberal amounts of salt and pepper. Rub the seasoning into the meat and place on a roasting rack or wire rack. Place the rack into the smoker and cook until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 4 hours. Let rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• Cut the flatbread into twelve 8-by-9-inch rectangles and toast with beef tallow on a griddle over high heat until light golden brown. Slice each rectangle in half horizontally, then smear the cut-sides with spicy mustard.
• On baking sheets, make twelve stacks of sliced ham and Swiss cheese; broil until the cheese is melted and the meat is warmed. Then put the stacks on the flatbread bottoms, top with some onions and pickles for sandwiches. Transfer the sandwiches to a hot griddle prepped with beef tallow and grill, pressing down with a weight, until golden brown. Slice the sandwiches on a diagonal to plate.
• Mix together the yeast, sugar and 1 1/2 cups of warm water (just under 110 degrees F) in a large bowl and set aside until tripled in size.
• Place the yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and add the flour, oil, salt and 4 cups of tepid water. Mix on low speed until incorporated, then mix on medium speed for 10 minutes. Remove the hook but leave the dough in the mixer bowl. Let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the dough from the bowl and divide into 4 pieces. Place each piece on an oiled baking sheet and let rest for 30 minutes. Press the dough out to fill the baking sheets, then let rest for another 20 minutes. Press the dough again to fill out the baking sheets; let rest for 20 more minutes. Press the dough for the third time to fill out the baking sheets; let rest for 5 minutes.
• Bake for 18 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through.

CUBAN SANDWICH - A TAMPA CLASSIC!

Steps:

• Cut Cuban bread into 6 8-inch pieces.
• Split bread lengthwise.
• Spread mustard on six halves of the bread.
• Spread mayonnaise on the other six halves of the bread.
• Layer ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and salami on the mustard halves of the bread.
• Layer pickles on top of salami; top with mayo halves of bread.
• Can be eaten cold, but tastes better "hot pressed".
• To press: Heat a counter top grill (like a George Foreman grill) and place sandwich between the plates.
• Press down hard on the sandwich, squeezing the halves together tightly.
• Grill until the bread is toasted to a light brown on the outside and the cheese is melted.
• Alternate method: Heat a heavy pan on top of the stove on medium heat.
• Place sandwich in pan and press down with another heavy object (a brick wrapped in foil is good).
• Toast sandwich until light brown on one side, then turn over.
• Replace brick on toasted side.
• Serve with potato chips and a cold soda.