Cuban Sandwich

Thanks to the movie Chef, I renewed my hankering for Cuban Sandwiches. For those unaccustomed, these are grilled sandwiches made on crunchy Cuban style loaves, and are layered thus, from bottom to top:

• Yellow mustard
• Dill pickles
• Cuban roast pork
• Smoked ham
• Swiss cheese or similar (provolone, for instance)
• Yellow mustard

For years I had settled for regular roast pork, but I decided to do some research on Cuban pork. Here is what I have come up with over the past few months.

Starting with a trimmed pork shoulder, and marinate overnight thus:

• Orange juice
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Cilantro
• Basil

Then, I put all of this into a crock pot and add just enough water to cover*, and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.

Let the pork rest 10 minutes, then shred for the sandwiches.

I then get the George Foreman grill going, and start out searing the ham and toasting the bread. I then layer the sandwich as listed above, and butter the top and bottom, then grill until done. With a George Foreman, you can turn 60 degrees halfway through the cook for a nice hatched effect.

Serve with crispy chips and a cold beer.

 

*Use this water to rinse out the baggie