Cuban Sandwich A Tampa Classic Recipe Entree

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.

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.

TAMPA CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Prepare the pork: Cut small slits all over the meat with a knife and put skin-side down in a roasting pan. Mix the lime juice and orange juice in a measuring cup. Transfer 1/4 cup juice mixture to a food processor; add the garlic, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse to make a paste. Rub over the pork and into the slits. Pour the remaining 3/4 cup juice over the pork; press the bay leaves on top. Cover and refrigerate 3 to 6 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Turn the pork skin-side up and roast until a thermometer inserted into the middle registers 160 degrees F, about 2 hours, 30 minutes. Cool completely before slicing. (Refrigerate leftover pork in an airtight container up to 1 week.)
• Make the sandwich: Cut the bread in half lengthwise. Layer the ham, 3 thin slices roast pork, the salami, cheese and pickles on the bottom half. Spread the mustard on the inside of the top half. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Butter the outside of the sandwich, then add to the pan and put a heavy skillet on top to weigh it down; cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side (or cook in a sandwich press). Cut in half on the diagonal.
• In any Cuban sandwich, mojo-marinated pork is key. Look for bottled marinade in Latin markets, or try this recipe from Tampa's legendary Columbia Restaurant.

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!