cuban sandwich

Recipe by
Pamela Rappaport
The Villages, FL

I lived in Miami for 25 years and loved the Cuban food. The Cuban sandwich is a staple served everywhere there's Cuban food. It's a pressed sandwich (think panini). The bread is key, Cuban bread is soft with a touch of sweetness and crusty outside. Substitute French if you must. It's traditionally the pressed sandwich with no additions. However, in Tampa I discovered it served with a garlicy cream sauce and shredded lettuce and it made my eyes roll back in my head! Try it both ways.

prep time 10 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For cuban sandwich

  • loaf of fresh cuban bread, about 8 inches per serving
  • mayo and mustard mixed 1 part mustard to 8 parts mayo
  • sliced dill pickle
  • roast pork, pulled not sliced
  • sliced ham
  • sliced swiss cheese
  • optional - creamy cuban garlic sauce, see my recipe
  • optional - shredded lettuce

How To Make cuban sandwich

  • 1
    Note - the roast pork is traditionally marinated in mojo, but i have used other roast pork in a pinch. If you have a Publix, they have Cuban roast pork in the deli dept.
  • 2
    Slice the bread open for sandwiches, cut into 8 inch portions.
  • 3
    Spread both sides with the mayo/mustard mix.
  • 4
    Add a generous layer of pork, ham then cheese. Top with pickles. Place the top piece of bread on top and press down.
  • 5
    Heat a large skillet (cast iron is best) on medium heat. Have a smaller heavy skillet that will fit inside the other ready. If your second skillet isn't heavy, place cans inside it. (or use a panini press if you have it)
  • 6
    Spray the heated skillet with oil and put your first sandwiches in it. Place the 2nd skillet on top of the sandwiches and press down.
  • 7
    Let cook until toasty on the bottom. Flip and do the other side. Make sure the cheese melts. Continue until all sandwiches are cooked.
  • 8
    Traditionally you're finished at this step. If you want Tampa style, open the cooked sandwich, top with lettuce and drizzle plenty of the garlic sauce over. Yum.

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