Cuban Sandwich (Cubano)

Method11 steps · about 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather a pastry brush and sandwich press or panini maker. For the source skillet alternative, use a heavy skillet and a second heavy skillet, lid or bacon press as a weight.

2. 2

   Step 2: Cut the Cuban bread into a 6 – 8 inch piece and slice it open.

   Uses One 6–8-inch (15–20 cm) piece Cuban bread; Italian or wide French bread can substitute

3. 3

   Step 3: Lay the bread open and spread the top slice with mustard.

   Uses Sliced-open Cuban bread piece · 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard, or to taste

4. 4

   Step 4: Layer the ham on the bottom slice.

   Uses Bread with mustard on top half · 3–4 slices sweet ham (about 4–5 oz total)

5. 5

   Step 5: Add the sliced roast pork (3–4 oz)

   Uses Ham-layered bread · 3–4 oz cooked roast pork, sliced or shredded

6. 6

   Step 6: Add the pickles, staggered to cover almost the entire area, so that every bite contains pickle.

   Uses Bread with ham and cooked roast pork · 6–8 dill pickle chips

7. 7

   Step 7: Top with Swiss cheese (2 slices) and cover with the bread.

   Uses Bread with ham cooked pork and staggered pickle chips · 2 slices Swiss Cheese (approximately 2 ounces)

8. 8

   Step 8: Heat the sandwich press to medium. Alternatively, heat a heavy skillet over medium to medium-low heat.

9. 9

   Step 9: Brush the top of the sandwich lightly with the softened butter (½ teaspoon).

   Uses Assembled Cuban sandwich · ½ teaspoon Butter (softened)

10. 10

    Step 10: Place the sandwich in the preheated press and let the lid weight flatten it gently. Cook about seven to ten minutes until the bread is toasted and Swiss cheese melted, checking after five minutes. For the skillet alternative, place the sandwich in the hot skillet, weigh it down gently with the second skillet or lid, then turn when the first side is toasted and repeat until the other side is toasted and cheese melted.

    Press sandwich until toasted and cheese melted; check after five minutes · 10 minUses Lightly buttered assembled Cuban sandwich

11. 11

    Step 11: Cut the sandwich in half and serve.

    Uses Toasted pressed Cuban sandwich