Castro Sandwich Recipes

CASTRO SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the ham: Combine salt, sugar, curing salt, bay leaves, lemon slices and 1/2 gallon water in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Once all ingredients have dissolved, remove from heat and add ice. Stir to combine.
• Place ham in a container and pour brine over top. Let brine, refrigerated, for 1 week.
• For the pulled pork: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Combine chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, paprika, pepper, salt and sugar in a medium bowl. Rub pork shoulder on all sides with the dry rub.
• Place in a medium rondo or stockpot and add 1/2 gallon water. Cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Bake until fork tender, 10 to 12 hours. Pull pork, removing any fat or skin.
• For the ham glaze: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Combine molasses, mustard and garlic in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Place ham on a roasting rack. Top ham with half the glaze and roast, adding 2 cups of water to the pan if it looks like the drippings might burn, for 45 minutes. Re-glaze ham and continue to roast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 15 to 45 minutes more.
• For the Castro sandwich: Place 3 ounces ham and 3 ounces pulled pork in a griddle or nonstick saute pan on medium heat. Cut roll in half and place on griddle to toast. Once the meats are hot all the way through, top with pickles and cheese. Cook until cheese is melted, 1 more minute. Spread dijonnaise on both sides of the roll. Top with meat mixture and close sandwich. Cut in half and serve.

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH - THE REAL ONE

Steps:

• Heat 5 inches of oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). While oil is heating, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.
• Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle. Cut sandwiches into quarters, and secure with toothpicks.
• Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated. Deep fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove toothpicks and arrange on a serving tray. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

GRILLED CUBAN SANDWICH (SANDWICH CUBANO)

Steps:

• Assemble the sandwich
• Spread 2 tablespoons of the butter on one half of the bread loaf and a thin layer of mustard on the other. Place 1 to 2 layers of ham, pork, cheese, and, finally, pickles on the buttered bread and top with the mustard-spread bread.
• Wrap the sandwich in foil
• Smear the remaining butter all over the outside of the sandwich and wrap it completely in aluminum foil.
• Press and grill the sandwich
• Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing.
• Before grilling the sandwich, press down on it with your hands to flatten it. Place the wrapped, flattened sandwich on the grill and top with a brick, grill press, or any other heavy, heat-resistant object. Close the lid and grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
• Remove the wrapped sandwich from the grill and take off the foil. Return the sandwich to the grill and grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until both pieces of bread are crispy and golden brown.
• Slice and serve
• Remove the sandwich from the grill and cut at an angle into small sandwich wedges (triangles). Place on a large platter and serve while still hot.

MONTE CUBANO

Steps:

• Spread 1 slice of bread with mustard and top with pickles, meats, and cheese. Mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt, then mix with mayonnaise. Spread on remaining slice of bread and assemble sandwich.
• Beat together egg, milk, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then soak sandwich in egg mixture.
• Melt butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium-low heat. Cook sandwich, uncovered, until underside is well browned, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook remaining side, covered, until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 1 minute.