I’m addicted. Totally addicted. Just when I started to get uninspired by the thought of making lunches for the kids, my senses were awakened once again and reminded that something so simple can be so delicious.
On a recent trip down south to visit family, we visited Columbia, a restaurant that served traditional Cuban fare. I had the traditional juicy roast pork meal with a side of yuca, fried plaintain, and black beans and rice. A simple dish yet so, SO YUMMY! My younger son had the Cuban Sandwich. It was soooo good that for the rest of the trip we were on a mission to eat them whenever we saw them on a menu.
Small individual sized French bread loaves (one per person) cut in half.
cooked ham (sliced)
roasted pork (sliced)
Swiss cheese (sliced)
dill pickles (thin slices)
Yellow mustard or Mayonnaise
1. Preheat a griddle or frying pan on medium heat.
2. Cut the loaf of bread to fill
3. Spread the mustard or mayonnaise on the bread. Then make each sandwich by layering the pickles, roasted pork, ham, salami, mustard, mayo, and cheese.
4. Butter the grill and heat up sandwich like you would for a grilled cheese and pressing down, flipping when lightly toasted. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese starts to melt.
That’s it!
Serve with a side of Plaintain Chips for a change!
Note: I tried this at home and omitted the roasted pork (a little too much meat for everyday)- just as yummy!
Alternatively you can make a variation by using any bread you would use for a grilled sandwich (panini, white bread), I’m sure it will still taste good. However, authentic recipes call for Cuban crusty loaves that really are very good but we just don’t have that here unless you go to a Cuban grocer. French stick is the closest we can get here at our local store.
I confess, that on occasion, I’ve asked restaurants for recipes when I’m travelling. It’s a great souvenir to take home. But I’ve only asked when the restaurant isn’t too busy and if the chef is willing to share. One thing I try to find when we travel is a cookbook ..sometimes from a local restaurant where we have enjoyed a meal. My friend Donna, in Texas, started me on the idea when she gave me a great recipe book from a little cafe that she had visited. Best souvenirs ever!
What was your most memorable meal while on vacation?