Sunday, November 25, 2007

Cubana Sandwich

This is from Sheila Lukins' All Around The World Cookbook, which was a HUGE favorite of mine when I was in my early 20s. My copy has lost its cover, its spine is broken and many pages are falling out and stained, which is always the sign of a much-loved cookbook.
But the truth is that I haven't cooked out of it for probably a decade and it's hard to say WHY. Looking through it, the recipes are still fresh and interesting and I can see lots of things that I cooked back in 1995 and loved. There's the problem, I guess - the food is too much the food of THAT period in time, when I was so unhappy.

Still a good cookbook, and when my son wanted a grilled Cuban sandwich for lunch, I knew just where to find one.

Vinaigrette:
1 teaspoon orange juice (the recipe calls for "fresh" orange juice, which makes my eyes roll RIGHT into the back of my head.)
1 teaspoon vinegar (again, the recipe calls for red wine vinegar. Use it if you have it - I never do.)
1 teaspoon olive oil
Mix the ingredients together and lightly brush on the inside on two slices of a soft baguette.

For the sandwich:
1 thin slice of Monterey Jack Cheese
thin slices of sweet gherkins
2 thin slices of baked ham
2 or 3 thin slices roast pork
Dijon mustard.

And you know how to make a sandwich, right? Either grill in a frying pan with a heavy lid squishing the sandwich flat, or use a sandwich press. It's a spiffy sandwich.

4 comments:

S said...

We are trying the Enchilada Stuffed Shells tonight. Wish us luck. My Ben is a tough nut to crack, where food is concerned.

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life said...

Your "which makes my eyes roll RIGHT into the back of my head" comment had me laughing.

Thanks to you I am getting the courage to start a food blog where I can put the family recipes.

Thanks for sharing here and on your other blog.

Jenifer said...

OK that comment about the juice made me laugh too. This looks good and when you said, "and you know how to make a sandwich right" I thought of course! Ha. Then realized you wanted it grilled. Apparently I do NOT know how to make a sandwich.

Tess said...

I do not know how your delicious blog has escaped my attention, but I LOVE IT!

I can't wait to try this. I had a great Cuban sandwich at a restaurant in San Juan, PR, and I've been trying to replicate it ever since.