Cuban Melt Recipes

CUBAN MINI MELTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Divide quartered bread slices evenly between 2 large baking sheets .
• Combine ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and mayonnaise in a large bowl and mix well. Place 1 tablespoon of mixture on top of each piece of bread on 1 of the baking sheets.
• Bake topped bread in the preheated oven for 4 minutes. Add baking sheet with plain bread to the oven and continue baking 3 minutes more.
• Remove both baking sheets from the oven. Place a dill pickle slice on each topped bread slice; cover with a piece of plain toasted bread. Secure each mini sandwich with a toothpick.

CUBAN SANDWICHES RECIPE

Steps:

• 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.

CHEF JOHN'S CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and cayenne together in a bowl to make the sauce.
• Trim off ends of bread. Cut loaf in half and evenly split bread to make tops and bottoms of 2 sandwiches. Spread each half on both sides generously with the mayo/mustard sauce.
• Divide sandwich ingredients between the two bottom halves in this order: 2 slices Swiss cheese, 3 slices ham, hot cooked pork, pickle slices, and 2 more slices of Swiss cheese. Place tops on sandwiches.
• Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and press down with a heavy weight (such as another skillet or foil-wrapped bricks). Toast sandwiches until bread is crisp and filling is heated through, 3 or 4 minutes per side.