Cool Cuban Club Recipes

Steps:

• Spread 8 slices of bread with Dijon mustard.
• Sprinkle with cilantro.
• Layer pickle slices and shredded pork on four of the slices.
• Top each sandwich with a plain slice of bread.
• Layer ham and Swiss cheese, then remaining bread slices mustard side down.
• Press sandwiches together.
• In a 12 inch pan melt butter over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet. Place another skillet on top of your sandwiches using it as a weight.
• Cook 3 - 5 minutes. Turn and add more butter if needed. Cook another 3 - 5 minutes more or until toasted and cheese is malted.
• Cut in half and serve.

Steps:

• Begin by braising the pork shoulder. Tie the shoulder in 4 places with kitchen twine so it will hold its shape while being cooked or ask your butcher to do this for you. Season the pork with salt, pepper, cumin and oregano. Set the base of a pressure cooker over low-medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil.
• Add garlic and chili flakes and as the oil heats up it will become fragrant and infuse the oil. Add the pork. Add onions around the pork and brown slightly before adding orange juice, lime juice, stock and bay leaves.
• Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and cook for 20 to 25 minutes depending on the size of your pressure cooker. The pork should be tender when done. When done allow to cool in juices before removing twine and slicing.
• To prepare Cuban sandwiches, split bread in half then layer the sandwich with mustard, cheese, pickles, ham, pork then cheese again (the cheese glues everything together). Season with salt and pepper in between the ham and pork layers. (Optional: drizzle a little of the pork braising liquid over the meat as well).
• To cook, heat a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and top with another heavy skillet and a couple of heavy weights (bricks, or cans of tomatoes work well). Press down firmly and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the sandwich has compressed to about a third of its original size and the bread is super-crispy. Serve with beans, rice and plantain chips.