Cuban Sandwiches - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Glorp · 10-11-2004, 02:20 PM

So here's my question: Does anyone else out there share my obsession with Cuban sandwiches? They're these addictive things, somewhere between Pannini and Hoagies, that are made with pickles, different types of pork, and the most wonderful Cuban bread. I love them, and became hooked on them while spending time in Florida, but can never seem to find them where I live (N. Texas). Does anyone else share this problem, and if so, how do you remedy it? I've found some frozen Cuban sandwiches, which gave me hope, but then turned out to be little cracker things with ham in the middle. It was a horrible discovery, to be sure. Hope this is not a silly thread.

maleficent · 10-11-2004, 02:53 PM

You need to get yourself a George Forman Lean Mean Grilling Machine to make one of those Artery Cloggers -- but boy are they good....

Cuban Sandwich
8 slices of bread (your choice - I like portuguese bread but that's really easy to find in North Jersey, Italian bread should suffice)
(Newark Airport has a restaurant that serves Cuban sandwiches on Pita bread - -kinda interesting but -- eh -not authentic)
Mayonnaise
dDijon mustard
1/2 pound Boiled ham, thinly sliced (Deli ham)
1/2 pound roast pork, thinly sliced
8 thin slices dill pickle
1/2 pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the 4 top halves and a thin layer of mustard on the 4 bottom halves. Arrange one-fourth of the ham evenly on each of the bottom halves, then stack a fourth of the pork, 2 pickle slices and a fourth of the cheese on each. Cover sandwiches with the top halves of the bread.

Grill sandwiches in a buttered sandwich press until they are flat (or a grill or waffle iron), the bread is browned, and the cheese has melted.
Serve at once.

They are awesome....

maleficent · 10-11-2004, 02:54 PM

Not sure the bread really matters-- but you can make your own Cuban Bread ...

Cuban Bread
1 scant T. or 1 (1/2 oz.) package active dry yeast

2 C. warm water (105 - 115°F.)

1 t. salt

4 1/2 to 5 1/2 C. unbleached all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, soften the yeast in the water.

Add the salt and 3 cups of the flour. Beat vigorously with a dough whisk or a heavy-handled spoon for 2 minutes.

Gradually add more of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough forms a mass and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface.

Knead, adding more flour, a little at a time as necessary, about 8 to 10 minutes, or until you have a smooth, elastic dough and blisters begin to develop on the surface.

Put the dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Turn to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a tightly woven kitchen towel and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface and knead it into a ball. Put the dough on a well-greased baking sheet and flatten it slightly so that is about 3 inches high. Make 3 slits in the top of the loaf, about 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart.

Pour 1 cup of boiling water into a shallow pan and put the pan on the lower shelf of an unheated oven. put the dough on the shelf above, wait 10 minutes, turn the oven to 400°F. Bake the bead for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 200°F.

Immediately remove from the baking sheet and cool on a rack.

Cuban Bread Recipe

KMA-628 · 10-11-2004, 04:23 PM

you just made my year, I am definitely going to try that recipe.

I used to live in Florida and bought Cuban sandwiches from a Cuban couple that converted an old school bus into a mobile kitchen (they would park near job sites). I was drooling just reading the recipe.

Can't really find them here in Denver, though.

Mister Coaster · 10-11-2004, 04:47 PM

I love me the Cuban sandwiches! Thanks for that recipe, I'll have to make the bread and the sandwiches some football sunday soon.

BTW, if you're ever in Vegas (and I know TFP'ers love Vegas), The Brew Pub at the Monte Carlo has a really good Cuban sandwich. Actually, that whole menu there is incredible, easily my favorite Vegas place to eat, and I'ver been to plenty of the "high end" joints too. I just love the pub grub, beer and atmosphere of that place too much!

magnum_xxxl · 10-22-2004, 01:04 PM

Theres a little Cafe next door to my office, and the do a cuban about once every two months as a lunch special. I never miss it. The only difference is they add tomatoes.

10-11-2004, 02:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Glorp Upright	Cuban Sandwiches So here's my question: Does anyone else out there share my obsession with Cuban sandwiches? They're these addictive things, somewhere between Pannini and Hoagies, that are made with pickles, different types of pork, and the most wonderful Cuban bread. I love them, and became hooked on them while spending time in Florida, but can never seem to find them where I live (N. Texas). Does anyone else share this problem, and if so, how do you remedy it? I've found some frozen Cuban sandwiches, which gave me hope, but then turned out to be little cracker things with ham in the middle. It was a horrible discovery, to be sure. Hope this is not a silly thread.

10-11-2004, 02:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	You need to get yourself a George Forman Lean Mean Grilling Machine to make one of those Artery Cloggers -- but boy are they good.... Cuban Sandwich 8 slices of bread (your choice - I like portuguese bread but that's really easy to find in North Jersey, Italian bread should suffice) (Newark Airport has a restaurant that serves Cuban sandwiches on Pita bread - -kinda interesting but -- eh -not authentic) Mayonnaise dDijon mustard 1/2 pound Boiled ham, thinly sliced (Deli ham) 1/2 pound roast pork, thinly sliced 8 thin slices dill pickle 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the 4 top halves and a thin layer of mustard on the 4 bottom halves. Arrange one-fourth of the ham evenly on each of the bottom halves, then stack a fourth of the pork, 2 pickle slices and a fourth of the cheese on each. Cover sandwiches with the top halves of the bread. Grill sandwiches in a buttered sandwich press until they are flat (or a grill or waffle iron), the bread is browned, and the cheese has melted. Serve at once. They are awesome.... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-11-2004, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Not sure the bread really matters-- but you can make your own Cuban Bread ... Cuban Bread 1 scant T. or 1 (1/2 oz.) package active dry yeast 2 C. warm water (105 - 115°F.) 1 t. salt 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 C. unbleached all-purpose flour In a large bowl, soften the yeast in the water. Add the salt and 3 cups of the flour. Beat vigorously with a dough whisk or a heavy-handled spoon for 2 minutes. Gradually add more of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough forms a mass and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Knead, adding more flour, a little at a time as necessary, about 8 to 10 minutes, or until you have a smooth, elastic dough and blisters begin to develop on the surface. Put the dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Turn to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a tightly woven kitchen towel and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface and knead it into a ball. Put the dough on a well-greased baking sheet and flatten it slightly so that is about 3 inches high. Make 3 slits in the top of the loaf, about 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Pour 1 cup of boiling water into a shallow pan and put the pan on the lower shelf of an unheated oven. put the dough on the shelf above, wait 10 minutes, turn the oven to 400°F. Bake the bead for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 200°F. Immediately remove from the baking sheet and cool on a rack. Cuban Bread Recipe __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-11-2004, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mister Coaster Big & Brassy Location: The "Canyon"	I love me the Cuban sandwiches! Thanks for that recipe, I'll have to make the bread and the sandwiches some football sunday soon. BTW, if you're ever in Vegas (and I know TFP'ers love Vegas), The Brew Pub at the Monte Carlo has a really good Cuban sandwich. Actually, that whole menu there is incredible, easily my favorite Vegas place to eat, and I'ver been to plenty of the "high end" joints too. I just love the pub grub, beer and atmosphere of that place too much! __________________ If you have any poo... fling it NOW!

10-11-2004, 04:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
KMA-628 ....is off his meds...you were warned. Location: The Wild Wild West	you just made my year, I am definitely going to try that recipe. I used to live in Florida and bought Cuban sandwiches from a Cuban couple that converted an old school bus into a mobile kitchen (they would park near job sites). I was drooling just reading the recipe. Can't really find them here in Denver, though.

10-22-2004, 01:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
magnum_xxxl Tilted	Theres a little Cafe next door to my office, and the do a cuban about once every two months as a lunch special. I never miss it. The only difference is they add tomatoes.