My Cuban Sandwich Slider

In my previous Blog I mentioned that I would be making Cuban Sandwiches for my family on the 4th of July.

Well....the question was asked "What in a Cuban Sandwich? I must know."

It is a very basic recipe. I will first give you the traditional recipe for a Cuban sandwich which the Marine's aunt taught me. (Yes, she is 100% Cuban!)

3 thin slices of ham
3 thin slices roast pork hot or cold (I use hot, slow roasted pork)
3 thin slices of Swiss cheese
3 or 4 slices of pickles
1/3 cut Cuban Bread hard crust (or French bread)
mayonnaise
mustard
A sandwich press

Marinate the Pork in the mojo for at least 1 hour (It's best if you do it for 5 or more hours - at least I think it tasted better that way). Roast in oven in a covered pan until meat is completely cooked and brown (must regularly baste pork through out roasting). Put Mayonnaise and mustard on both sides of the bread. Put the Ham, pork, cheese, and pickles on the bread. Place sandwich into press and hold until the bread is a golden brown.
Now.....I have found a way to make a Cuban sandwich with out a sandwich press (although I am still hoping I will get one for a birthday or something....ahem...marine...are you reading this?). I do not have to slave over my oven all day slow roasting and basting, I use a pork that is a bit healthier, and make the sandwich bite-size so my monkey will eat it too.

Now for the disclaimer: Any Cuban worth his/her rice and beans (The Marine included) will tell you that this is not a "real" Cuban sandwich. It does not have the slow roasted smokey flavor, the fatty yumminess that comes with a pork shoulder/butt, and it doesn't have the right bread (it really is all about the bread).

That said it is great for the mom or dad who doesn't want to slave all day in the kitchen, but wants something different.

2 thin slices of ham Smoked Ham (I get mine deli cut - it's worth it!)
a hand full of pulled pork loin hot or cold (I use hot, slow cooked pork )
1 or 2 thin slices of Swiss cheese (I usually use half or 1)
1 or 2 slices of pickles (I use the long sandwich ones and usually only need 1)
small rolls (anything will work, i.e. Hawaiian, yeast, hamburger, french rolls, etc)
mayonnaise
mustard
Crock Pot

I Marinate the Pork in the mojo for at least for 5 or more hours - at least I think it tastes better that way. Place pork loin(s) and 1 to 2 cups of mojo in crock pot and cook over night or until meat is completely cooked and brown . Drain fat/grease/and remaining mojo from Crock about 1 hour prior to serving. Pour about 1 to 2 cups of mojo into crock pot (enough to maintain the flavor and keep things moist) and shred pork (very much like you would do to make pulled pork BBQ). Put Mayonnaise and mustard on both sides of the bread. Put the Ham, pork, cheese, and pickles on the bread. Put sandwich(s) into non-stick frying pan. Use large pot or another frying pan and press on top of slider's, flip sandwich(s) and repeat pressing.



These are great with plantain chips and a sour cream and mojo dip!

Summer Time!

The Green Grass.
The blooming flowers.
The Heritage tomatoes (that for you mommy).
The humidity.
The 100 degree heat index.
The tourists
The beach comes to life.
The sun burns.

These are just a few indications that summer has arrived here on the coast. This summer is already starting out busy. Most weekends there is a BBQ or picnic to attend, not to mention maintain a normal schedule. For 4th of July weekend I have a hoard of family descending one my for Lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant Lady & Sons, a Louisiana Seafood Boil, Fireworks and Cuban sandwiches on Parris Island as we listen to the Marine Corps Band. Then maybe rest.....

Then the swim lessons begin. Every day for 2 months Monkey will have swim lessons on base. This means mommy will have to use her lunch break to pick Monkey up from Pre-school, go to swim class, turn around dry her and dress her and take her back to school and get back to work. By the time the swim class ends, It will be Monkey's Birthday and then Monkey will be starting Kindergarten. Oh dear.....this is the last summer my baby is still.....well....a baby. Wow, time sure does Fly.

This week over at Sprite’s Keeper: Spin Cycle, the topic is Summer Summer Summer Time! If you want to spin too, just start writing - don't forget to let Jen know over there.

Toyota.......Ford

When the Marine and I started dating, we dated long distance. As our relationship progressed and we decided that we were in love, we would end our conversations with "I love you." (as most couples typically do) Often when the marine would talk to me in the presence of his men he would get very quiet when it came time to say...."I love you," almost as if he was a little embarrassed. We always had an ongoing argument over the better car...Toyota (which I thought were better) and Ford (which he insisted were superior). One night instead of "I love you" he said "Toyota" and in exchange I conceded "Ford." For a long time, we would tell each other "Toyota" or "Ford" on pace of the simple phrase "I love you." Eventually, the Marine stopped caring what his men thought and he would tell me he loved me no matter who was around. But occasionally when ever he is deployed I will send him a post card with only FORD in large letters written on it, for all to see. He says he gets some strange looks when he picks up his mail, but he knows what it means. It's not the words, but the meaning behind the words.

This week over at Sprite’s Keeper: Spin Cycle, the topic is pets. If you want to spin too, just start writing - don't forget to let Jen know over there.