I am a sandwich girl. I eat a sandwich almost every day. Growing up in a Cuban household, I wasn’t raised eating regular ham and cheese sandwiches. We grew up eating our own special blend of sandwiches with bread made by our grandmothers or purchased at a local bakery. At a young age, you learn how to eat “un sandwich cubano” or “una medianoche” (literally translated into Cuban sandwich or Midnight sandwich, same sandwich, different breads!) I used to have one of these sandwiches at least once a week but lately they have become a nice lunch treat while working at home! It is easy to make a Cuban sandwich at home, with everyday ingredients I already have in my fridge!!
Any good sandwich has to have good ingredients so I start my Cuban sandwich with
Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse® Hearty White sliced bread, Hillshire Farm® Thin Sliced Honey Ham and Hellman’s® Real Mayonnaise. The Farmhouse® Hearty White bread tastes so delicious and taste is what makes Pepperidge Farm® great!A Cuban sandwich cannot be a Cuban sandwich without mustard, roasted pork and pickles. These are the staples of the sandwich, especially if you are not using Cuban bread.
Assembly is also super important. You put the ingredients together in the wrong order and your sandwich will not be the greatest. First up, grab two slices of bread.
Add about ½ tbsp of mayonnaise to one slice.
On the other slice, spread about 1 tsp of mustard and top with pickles.
Next, add 3 slices of Hillshire Farm® Thin Sliced Honey Ham to the slice with the mayo. Honey ham gives this sandwich a nice sweet touch!
Top the honey ham with roasted pork. I am using leftover boneless porkchops from the previous night’s dinner but you can also get sliced roasted pork at your grocer’s deli. If using sliced roasted pork, make sure to use 2-3 slices. I like it either way, just don’t forget the pork!!
Bring your sandwich together and spread butter on the top bread slice.
Now, in a small pan over medium heat or on a panini press, spread about 1 tsp of butter.
Place your sandwich in the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Carefully flip your sandwich and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes. You want a nice golden brown color on both sides and nice, melty cheese!
Once your cheese has melted, remove sandwich from pan. Slice in half and enjoy!
Honestly, you are not missing much by not using Cuban bread. It’s a nice American twist to the sandwich making it a Cuban-American like me!!