Grilled Cubano 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.

GRILLED CUBAN SANDWICH (SANDWICH CUBANO)

Steps:

• Assemble the sandwich
• Spread 2 tablespoons of the butter on one half of the bread loaf and a thin layer of mustard on the other. Place 1 to 2 layers of ham, pork, cheese, and, finally, pickles on the buttered bread and top with the mustard-spread bread.
• Wrap the sandwich in foil
• Smear the remaining butter all over the outside of the sandwich and wrap it completely in aluminum foil.
• Press and grill the sandwich
• Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing.
• Before grilling the sandwich, press down on it with your hands to flatten it. Place the wrapped, flattened sandwich on the grill and top with a brick, grill press, or any other heavy, heat-resistant object. Close the lid and grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
• Remove the wrapped sandwich from the grill and take off the foil. Return the sandwich to the grill and grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until both pieces of bread are crispy and golden brown.
• Slice and serve
• Remove the sandwich from the grill and cut at an angle into small sandwich wedges (triangles). Place on a large platter and serve while still hot.

GRILLED CUBANO

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium. Brush pork with oil; season with salt and pepper. Brush grates with oil. Grill pork, flipping once, until cooked through and lightly charred, about 3 minutes; transfer to a plate.
• Scoop out soft insides of bread, leaving a 1/8-inch border. Spread mayonnaise and Dijon on opposite halves, then sandwich cheese, pork, ham, and pickles with bread.
• Brush oil over both sides of bread. Grill, weighting with a large cast-iron skillet and flipping once, until cheese is melted and bread is lightly marked, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; slice into 8 pieces. Serve immediately, with chips.

GRILLED TURKEY CUBAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Spray cold grate of outdoor gas grill with cooking spray. Prepare grill for medium indirect heat.
• Remove turkey from package. Dry with paper towels. Discard gravy packet or refrigerate for another use (within 2 - 3 days). Lift string netting and shift position on roast for easier removal after cooking. Cut small slits, at least 1 inch apart, over entire surface of turkey. Insert 1 garlic slice into each slit. Brush turkey with oil.
• Combine cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over turkey.
• Place turkey on grill grate over drip pan. Cover grill with lid. Grill 1 1/4 to 1-3/4 hours, or until meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees F when inserted into center of roast. Remove from grill. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Remove string netting. Cut half of the turkey into six 1/8-inch-thick slices. Set aside. Refrigerate unsliced turkey for another use.
• Cut each bread loaf lengthwise in half. Then, cut each into 3 pieces (for 6 sandwiches). Spread the bottom half of each section with 2 teaspoons mustard. Top with the sliced turkey, ham, cheese and pickles. Cover with tops of bread loaves. Press sandwiches with hands to flatten. Tightly wrap individually in aluminum foil.
• Place wrapped sandwiches on grill grate. Top each with heavy iron skillet or brick. Grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
• Serve sandwiches warm, wrapped in aluminum foil.

GRILLED CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Assemble the sandwich.
• Spread 2 tablespoons of the butter on one half of the bread loaf and a thin layer of mustard on the other. Place 1 to 2 layers of ham, pork, cheese, and, finally, pickles on the buttered bread and top with the mustard-spread bread.
• Wrap the sandwich in foil.
• Smear the remaining butter all over the outside of the sandwich and wrap it completely in aluminum foil.
• Press and grill the sandwich.
• Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing.
• Before grilling the sandwich, press down on it with your hands to flatten it. Place the wrapped, flattened sandwich on the grill and top with a brick, grill press, or any other heavy, heat-resistant object. Close the lid and grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
• Remove the wrapped sandwich from the grill and take off the foil. Return the sandwich to the grill and grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until both pieces of bread are crispy and golden brown.
• Slice and serve.
• Remove the sandwich from the grill and cut at an angle into small sandwich wedges (triangles). Place on a large platter and serve while still hot.
• NOTES:.
• The loaf sandwich can be prepared and wrapped in foil a few hours in advance. Press and grill right before serving.
• Instead of plan mustard I like to mix mustard, mayonnaise and some cayenne pepper together to give it a little more flavor.

GRILLED CUBANO: TURKEY, PORK AND SWISS WITH MUSTARD AND PICKLES

Steps:

• 1. Cut roll.
• 2. Spread mustard on top of roll.
• 3. Place two slices of cheese onto each side of roll.
• 4. Stack cheese, pork, turkey, and pickle onto bottom of roll.
• 5. Close sandwich.
• 6. Melt a tablespoon of butter in pan.
• 7. Press down on sandwich and grill over moderate heat for approximately 3-4 minutes on both sides, pressing down firmly from time to time.