Cuban Sandwiches

(Cubano from the Pig)

Well it was Wednesday night last night....Sandwich night.  When Kel and I were in New York at the Spotted Pig we ordered the Cubano Sandwich.  It was one of the few meals we ate in NY that I thought I might be able to recreate.  So simple and layered with flavor - shredded pork, prosciutto, Gruyere cheese and sauteed jalapenos.  If you don't care for spicey, you can eliminate the jalapenos.  I left them off my kids'.   We also got the broccoli rabe and shoestring fries, so I made those, too. So we had a Pig reunion last night and Kel and Mark came for dinner.  PDC - pretty darn close to the original.  If you start the Pork in a crock pot the day before, dinner won't take long at all to pull together.  These sandwiches aren't for the diet conscious.:-)  If you're really concerned about the butter and cheese, just don't eat all day! ha ha.

Cuban Sandwiches

For the pork

1 Pork Shoulder Roast about 3-4 lbs.

Seasoning for roast - season salt, garlic salt, white pepper

olive oil

1 sweet onion, diced course

1 can jalapenos peppers (not pickled), drained

about 4 cups water

In a large pan, heat olive oil.  Season meat generously on all sides and sear in pan until golden on all sides.  Place in crock pot and add water, onion and jalapenos.  Cook on high for 4-5 hours, and then reduce to low and cook overnight.  In the morning, remove pork from crock pot and place in a container to cool.  Reserve 2 cups of broth.  Chill broth.  Discard jalapenos and stock.  

For Sandwiches

4-6 long french rolls (or any crunchy crust, soft inside rolls)

butter

Shredded good quality Gruyere cheese

8-10 slices imported prosciutto 

3-4 jalapenos, sliced lengthwise, stem removed

Remove fat from chilled pork broth.  Add to pot and reheat meat.  Shred meat into smaller pieces.  (this will almost happen without much effort).  In a small saute pan melt about 1 tbsp of butter over low heat and add jalapenos.  Cover and cook for about 20 minutes until tender and soft.  Remove from butter.  Toast all rolls in oven until crisp.  Slice in half, leaving hinge.  Butter on both sides.  Toast again until light light brown. Add cheese to one side and melt under broiler.  In a saute pan, quickly sear both sides of the prosciutto, just to heat and brown slightly.  

Assemble

On the cheese side, layer prosciutto, then jalapeno then lots of juicy pork.  Serve hot!

 

Comments

[Yard]

Those sandwiches were really really good!

[Mel]

Impressive once again. I am saving those chocolate peanutbutter things till me next period so I can deal with my PMS in the best way I know how!