Cuban Sandwiches

• servings: 2 servings
• active time: 5 minutes
• total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 (8- to 10-inch) sections Cuban bread, split open horizontally (see note)

4 tablespoons (60ml) yellow mustard

6 ounces (170g) sliced Swiss cheese

6 ounces (170g) thinly sliced dill pickles

8 ounces (220g) sliced honey ham

6 ounces (170g) leftover Cuban-style roast pork

4 ounces (115g) sliced Genoa salami (optional; see note)

2 tablespoons (25g) butter

Directions

Preheat a panini press or a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lay bread, open side up, on a work surface and spread the bottom and top halves with mustard. Layer bottom and top halves with Swiss cheese. Working only on bottom halves, layer on all of the pickles, ham, roast pork, and salami (if using). Close sandwiches, pressing gently.

Butter top and bottom of panini press and press sandwiches with moderate pressure until crisp on both sides, about 8 minutes. If using a cast iron skillet or griddle, melt half of butter in pan and add sandwiches. Use a second pan to press on them as the first side crisps. When crisp, flip sandwiches, add remaining butter, swirl to coat, and continue cooking while pressing until crisp on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Slice sandwiches in half diagonally and serve immediately.

Notes

Cuban bread is a soft white bread made with lard. Look for it in Latin bakeries or groceries. If unavailable, use any not-too-crusty, soft white rolls, preferably with some lard or fat baked into them. Salami is a traditional ingredient in Tampa-style Cuban sandwiches, but can be omitted.

*Pro tip: Going on a staycation? Construct Cubanos, butter lightly on the exterior, then wrap them in aluminum foil. When you get to your hotel, iron those sandwiches for about seven minutes on each side, unwrap, and enjoy your hot, crispy sandwich. This is the reason I used to keep an iron in my desk drawer during the short period of my life in which I had an office job.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Makes 2 sandwiches
• Calories: 941 kcal
• Total Fat: 59 g
• Saturated Fat: 30 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 207 mg
• Sodium: 2547 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 3 g
• Protein: 68 g