**Grilled Cuban Sandwich: A Classic Blend of Cuban and American Flavors**
The grilled Cuban sandwich, also known as a sandwich Cubano, is a delectable combination of Cuban and American culinary traditions. This iconic sandwich is renowned for its flavorful combination of slow-roasted mojo pork (or ham), salty ham, tangy pickles, gooey melted Swiss cheese, and a smear of tangy mustard, all pressed between slices of Cuban bread, grilled to golden perfection. With its satisfyingly crisp exterior and tender, juicy interior, the Cuban sandwich is a beloved dish enjoyed by people of all cultures. This article presents three mouthwatering recipes that showcase the versatility of this classic sandwich: the classic grilled Cuban sandwich, a vegan Cubano alternative, and a tantalizing Cuban sandwich with a spicy twist. Each recipe has been carefully curated to provide a unique culinary experience, ensuring there's a Cuban sandwich for every palate.
GRILLED CUBANO SANDWICH
When you think of the classic flavors of a Cubano sandwich, you think spicy mustard, tangy pickles and succulent pieces of pork. In this recipe we marinate pork tenderloin in yellow mustard and pickle juice so those bold flavors penetrate the meat. Pressing the sandwich onto the grill with a weight guarantees that the bread gets nice and toasty and the cheese is completely melted.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cut the pork tenderloin in half crosswise with a sharp knife, creating two 5-inch-long pieces. Make a vertical cut down the middle of each piece, about 3/4 of the way through. Open the pieces like a book. Lay them cut-side down on a piece of plastic wrap, cover with another piece and use a meat mallet to lightly pound the pork to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Add the pork, 1/4 cup of the yellow mustard, olive oil, pickle brine and garlic to a quart- or gallon-size resealable bag. Close the bag, and rub the marinade into the pork. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare a grill or large grill pan for medium-high heat.
- Once the pork has marinated for 30 minutes, transfer it to a plate, shaking off any excess marinade. Lightly oil the grill grates with vegetable oil. Sprinkle both sides of the pork liberally with salt and pepper, and grill until charred on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium doneness. Transfer the pork a cutting board, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Reduce the grill heat to medium. Slice the pork across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Brush the outside of the Cuban loaf with the butter, and lay the loaf halves cut-side up on a very long piece of aluminum foil. Mix the remaining tablespoon yellow mustard with the mayonnaise, and slather the mixture onto both pieces of bread. Layer the ham, pickles, pork and Swiss cheese on one half of the bread. Top with the other half, and wrap the sandwich up in the foil.
- Put the sandwich on the grill, place a large baking sheet on top and weigh it down with a large cast-iron pan or 2 large cans of food. Grill for 5 minutes, remove the baking sheet and weight, flip the sandwich, weigh it down again and grill until the Swiss cheese has melted, about 5 minutes more.
- Unwrap the sandwich, cut into 4 pieces and serve immediately.
GRILLED CUBAN SANDWICH (SANDWICH CUBANO)
Editor's note: Chef, nutritionist, and cooking teacher Lourdes Castro shared this recipe from her cookbook, Latin Grilling. It's part of a festive Cuban party menu she created for Epicurious and a great way to use up leftover grilled pork . As soon as someone finds out about my Cuban background, a Cuban sandwich question is never far away. It's no wonder, since Cuban sandwiches have recently popped up on menus all over the country. While many have gotten close to re-creating the real thing, I feel most miss the mark. So here is a step-by-step guide to creating an authentic sandwich Cubano. This is also a great way to use up the leftovers from your Cuban pig roast!
Provided by Lourdes Castro
Categories Sandwich Cheese Pork Father's Day Backyard BBQ Dinner Lunch Ham Summer Grill Grill/Barbecue Swiss Cheese Sandwich Theory Sugar Conscious Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Serves 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your Cuban sandwich will be. Look for fresh, flavorful bread, ham, pork, cheese, and pickles.
- Don't skimp on the butter: Butter is what gives the Cuban sandwich its golden crust and crispy texture. Be generous with it when you're grilling the sandwich.
- Press the sandwich down: Use a heavy skillet or panini press to press the sandwich down while it's grilling. This will help it cook evenly and get nice and crispy.
- Serve the sandwich with dipping sauce: A classic Cuban sandwich is often served with a dipping sauce, such as mojo sauce or a simple mustard sauce. This adds an extra layer of flavor and richness.
Conclusion:
The Cuban sandwich is a delicious and iconic sandwich that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It's a perfect choice for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, and it's also great for parties and potlucks. With its combination of savory flavors and crispy texture, the Cuban sandwich is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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