Pan Cubano Recipes

CUBAN BREAD AUTHENTIC PAN CUBANO RECIPE

Steps:

• To create the starter, combine the warm water and the yeast.
• Set it aside for about 15 minutes and then check the bowl.
• The mixture should be foamy and bubbly. If it's not, your yeast is not fresh, so try again with fresh yeast.
• If the yeast is alive, stir in the flour. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap and set it aside overnight.
• The next morning, the starter should be bubbly and slightly risen. Set it aside while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
• Use the remainder of the package of yeast and combine it in a clean bowl with the sugar.
• Stir in the warm water and let it sit for about 15 minutes to check the yeast for freshness. When the time has passed, the yeast mixture should be bubbly and foamy.
• Melt the lard and add it to the bowl, along with the salt and one cup of the flour.
• Mix it well to form a sticky, wet dough.
• Add the starter from last night along with another cup and a half of the flour.
• Stir well. The dough should start to form a ball. You should have about a half cup of flour left for kneading.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in some of the remaining flour.
• You should knead this dough for at least 20 minutes to get the texture right. If you don't want to knead by hand, feel free to use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
• When you are done kneading, the dough should be a ball that is smooth, shiny, and elastic.
• Coat a large mixing bowl with cooking oil and place the dough ball in the bowl, turning it to coat.
• Cover the dough ball with a clean dish towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for at least two hours or until it is doubled in size.
• Grease a large baking sheet with a rim and sprinkle cornmeal all over it.
• Punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
• Divide the dough in half.
• Shape each half into a long rectangular loaf that is about a half-inch thick and twelve to eighteen inches long.
• You can use a rolling pin if you like. Roll the dough from the long side to form a very skinny, rolled loaf.
• Place the loaf on one of the prepared pans and repeat with the remaining piece of dough.
• Cover the loaves with clean dish towels and allow them to rise for about 60 to 90 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut a slit in the top of the loaves by running a sharp knife or razor blade lengthwise down the loaf of bread.
• Lightly spray the loaves of bread with water.
• Place the loaves in the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, misting every 10 minutes with water.
• Remove from the oven and allow the bread loaves to cool for about twenty minutes before slicing.
• Cuban bread dries out very quickly. If you can't eat it all within a day, freeze the bread, tightly wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to a month.

CUBAN BREAD (PAN CUBANO)

Steps:

• Manual Method: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir till the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface, oil your hands, and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it begins to become smooth and supple. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise till puffy though not necessarily doubled in bulk, about 1 hour, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. Gently fold the dough in upon itself and turn it upside-down after 30 minutes; this "turn" helps eliminate some of the excess carbon dioxide and redistributes the yeast's food, both imperative for optimum yeast growth.
• Mixer Method: Combine the ingredients as directed at left, using a flat beater paddle or beaters, then switch to the dough hook(s) and knead for 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise, with a turn, as directed above.
• Bread Machine Method: Place all of the ingredients into the pan of your machine, program the machine for Manual or Dough, and press Start. Examine the dough about 10 minutes before the end of the final kneading cycle, and adjust its consistency with additional water or flour as needed, to produce a smooth, supple dough. Allow the machine to complete its cycle.
• Divide the dough into six pieces, and shape each piece into a rough log. Let the logs rest for 15 minutes, covered, then shape each piece into a smooth batard shape (a log about 8 inches long, slightly tapered at each end). Place the loaves on a parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheet.
• Let the loaves rise, covered, for 1 hour. Brush or spray them with water, and slash one long lengthwise slit down the middle of each loaf. Preheat the oven to 375°F while the loaves are rising. Bake the bread for about 30 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and cool it on a rack. The loaves may be made one day in advance and stored at room temperature, or several weeks in advance and frozen.

LEFTOVER HAM SHEET PAN CUBANOS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Make the mojo turkey: Add the turkey, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, salt, and oregano to a large bowl. Toss well, then set aside.
• Split the hoagie rolls in half lengthwise and spread 1½ teaspoons of mustard over each roll.
• On the bottom half of each roll, layer 2 slices of ham, ¼ of the mojo turkey, 2 slices of Swiss cheese, and 4 dill pickle chips.
• Bring the sandwiches together and set on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush the top and bottom of each roll with the melted butter.
• Place another baking sheet on top of the sandwiches and put a cast iron skillet or other heavy pan on top to compress the sandwiches.
• Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the exterior of the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted.
• Enjoy!

CHEF JOHN'S CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl or measuring cup. Whisk the starter until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Place 1 package active dry yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in a mixing bowl. Pour in 3/4 cup warm water. Let rest 15 minutes to ensure yeast is alive (bubbles will form on surface). Add lard and salt to bowl; add 1 cup of the flour. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and dough forms a sticky ball. Add the starter (reserving 1/4 cup if you want to keep the starter going, if desired. Otherwise add it all.). Sprinkle most of the rest of the flour on the dough, reserving 1/2 cup to be used if needed when kneading.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until dough comes together in a firm ball, adding additional flour only as needed. Dough should be soft and supple with just a bit of tackiness on the surface.
• Place dough in a bowl and coat surface with a little vegetable oil. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until at least doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with a little cornmeal.
• Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface. Lightly press the dough into a rectangle with your lightly floured hands. Divide dough in half and press and shape each half into a long 1/2-inch thick rectangle about 12 inches long. Roll up tightly starting at the long end to form a skinny loaf. Flatten a bit. Transfer each loaf to a prepared baking sheet and dust with a bit of flour. Cover with a light, dry towel and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cut a 1/4-inch deep slit down the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or razor. Mist loaves lightly with water.
• Place pans in pre-heated oven, one pan on lower rack, one on higher rack. After 10 minutes, switch pan positions. Continue to bake until loaves are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer loaves to cooling rack and let cool to room temperature before slicing.

5 NINTH'S CUBANO

Steps:

• At least 2 days before serving time, prepare jalapeños, if desired: place peppers in a heatproof bowl. In a saucepan, warm vinegar, onion and salt over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring to dissolve salt. Pour liquid over jalapeños and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 days and up to 2 weeks.
• To make aioli in a food processor combine egg yolks, garlic and mustard. With motor running, add oils in a slow, steady stream. Blend in the lemon juice and salt. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• When you are ready to make sandwiches, seed 2 jalapeños and cut lengthwise into thin strips (alternatively, you can use purchased pickled jalapeños). Warm roasted pork in a microwave or small skillet. Spread the inside of the baguettes with aioli. Divide remaining ingredients (except oil) among 4 sandwiches, layering cheese, jalapeños, prosciutto and pork. Top with remaining baguette half.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat. Place a second skillet, preferably a cast-iron one, over high heat at the same time (it should be slightly smaller than the first skillet). When pans are very hot, add oil to the larger skillet. Place each sandwich in oil (cut sandwiches in half if they do not fit), and press second skillet on top, weighing it down with a heavy item to flatten. Cook until bread is golden and cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes a side.

PAN CUBANO

Steps:

• STARTER: The day before baking, dissolve the yeast in warm water in a nonreactive bowl. Add flour. You want a thick paste when you add the flour. Cover bowl with plastic wrap (punch a couple air holes) and place in refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Leftover starter can be left in the refrigerator or frozen. (You will need to maintain starter if you are going to keep it; there are several zaar recipies that describe sourdough starter care.).
• DOUGH: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water in a large mixing bowl. When the mixture is foamy (5 to 10 minutes), mix in the lard/ shortening, remaining water and starter (remember, it's 1/2 cup of starter and not the entire volume that you made the day before).
• Mix well with your fingers or a wooden spoon. Stir in salt and flour, 1 cup at a time. You want to get a dough that is stiff enough to knead. You can also mix and knead in a mixer fitted with a dough hook or in a food processor fitted with the double blade (the processor hook will not handle this job easily).
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes, adding flour as necessary. The dough should be pliable and not sticky.
• Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let warm, draft-free spot until it doubles its bulk, about 45 minutes. Punch down.
• To form the loaves, divide the dough in 4 pieces. Roll out each piece to form a 14-inch long tube, with rounded ends (sort of like a long meat loaf).
• Put 2 of the loaves per baking sheet, each loaf about 6 inches apart on the sheet. Cover with dampened cotton dish towel and let rise in warm, draft-free spot until double their bulk, about 1 hour. If you want it to rise at a slower pace, you can put it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Lay a piece of dampened thick string or twine (about 1/8" thick) all along the top of the loaf. Bake until the loaves are lightly browned on the top and sound hollow when lightly tapped, about 30 minutes.
• Remove loaves from oven and let cool slightly. Remove the strings. They will leave a distinct little ridge on top. Transfer loaves to a wire rack for cooling.

PAN CUBANO (AUTHENTIC CUBAN BREAD RECIPE) RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• To Prepare Starter: 1. The day before baking; mix the starter ingredients, dissolving the yeast in the water first. You want a thick paste when you add the flour. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let "ripen" in refrigerator for 24 hours. Leftover starter will keep for several days in the refrigerator and can be frozen. To Prepare Dough: 1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in 3 tablespoons of water in a large mixing bowl. When the mixture is foamy (5 to 10 minutes), stir in the lard, the remaining water, and the 1/2 batch of starter. 2. Mix well with your fingers or a wooden spoon. Stir in salt and flour, 1 cup at a time. You want to get a dough that is stiff enough to knead. You can also mix and knead in a mixer fitted with the dough hook or in a food processor fitted with the double blade, as the processor dough hook will not handle this job easily. 3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes, adding flour as necessary. The dough should be pliable and not sticky. 4. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles its' bulk, about 45 minutes. Punch down. 5. To form the loaves, divide the dough in 4 pieces. Roll out each to form a 14-inch long tube, with rounded ends (sort of like a long meat loaf) Put 2 of the loaves on a baking sheet, about 6 inches apart. Cover with dampened cotton dish towels and let rise in warm, draft-free spot until double their bulk, about 1 hour. If you want to let it rise at a slower pace, you can do it in a cooler spot and even in the refrigerator, but give it 3 to 4 hours instead. 6. Preheat oven to 350 F 7. Lay a dampened piece of thick kitchen string or twine (about 1/8 " thick) all along the top length of the loaf. Bake until the breads are lightly browned on top and sound hollow when lightly tapped, about 30 minutes. 8. Let them cool slightly and remove the strings. They will leave a distinct little ridge on top. Transfer loaves onto a wire rack for cooling.

CUBANO PANINI SANDWICH RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Heat a grill or campfire to medium heat
• Slice the French loaf almost all the way in half lengthwise, leaving a long side still attached like a hot dog bun.
• Open the bread and spread mustard liberally on both sides. Lay the Swiss cheese slices on both sides of the bread. Lay the pickles over the Swiss slices on the bottom half of the bread. Layer the ham slices and pulled pork over the pickles, then gently lift the top side of the bread to close the sandwich. Double wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil.
• Set the sandwich on the grill over medium heat. Place a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on top to press down. Cook the sandwich for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 minutes more, until the outside of the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted.
• Let sandwich cool for a few minutes before carefully unwrapping. Slice and serve.
• Enjoy!