Cuban Sandwich With Fresh Goat Cheese Recipes

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.

Steps:

• For the spread, place the cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic, thyme, parsley, 5 tablespoons milk, salt and pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until well mixed. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if the spread is very thick. To make the sandwiches, spread each slice of bread with the goat cheese spread. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and arrange on half of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread. Press slightly, trim off the crusts and cut the sandwiches into halves, thirds or triangles. Make these sandwiches in the morning, then cover with damp paper towels and plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cut just before serving.

Steps:

• Heat a griddle (or use a sandwich press) or cast-iron skillet to very hot. Spread the mustard and sour cream on the top halves. On the bottom halves layer the roasted pepper, mushrooms, spinach, olives, cheese and pickle. Cover with the top halves, and wrap each sandwich tightly in aluminum foil. Place these sandwiches on the griddle or skillet, and then place a heavy skillet on top; try to distribute the weight evenly over the sandwiches. (You can even use a brick to do this!) Cook 3 to 5 minutes, pressing down occasionally to flatten the sandwiches. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cut Cuban bread to desired size, common size is 7 inches. Next, slice open the bread down the middle. On the topside of the bread spread 1-ounce of mustard, evenly across. Then place 4 pickles on top of the mustard. You then place 1 slice of Swiss cheese on top of the pickles. Slice ham to desired thickness, recommended size is 1 1/2 ounces per slice, the thinner the better. Now fold each slice of ham in half and place evenly on bottom of bread. On top of the ham, place slices of roast pork, 1 1/2 ounces per slice. You then join both halves of the sandwich. You are now ready to grill your Cuban sandwich.
• Use a sandwich grill if you have one, a waffle iron if not. Spread butter on top of the bread evenly. Close the grill, smashing the sandwich. Leave sandwich in the grill until top of bread turns to a golden brown, and top is crisp. Approximate time is 4 to 6 minutes. After the sandwich is crispy and the cheese has melted, remove the sandwich carefully and slice it diagonally, from corner to corner. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN!

Steps:

• In a mini-processor (or if multiplying the recipe, in a food processor fitted with the steel blade), blend together the goat cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt until smooth. Add the sumac and mix together.
• Spread half the cheese mixture on one slice of the bread. Sprinkle with dill. Top with a layer of thinly sliced celery. Top the celery with a layer of cucumber slices. Season if desired with salt and pepper and sprinkle on more dill. Spread the remaining cheese over the top slice of bread and sprinkle the walnuts over the cream so that they stick. Reverse the top slice onto the cucumber layer, press the sandwich gently (not too hard or the cream will ooze out), cut in half and serve.