Ham Roasted Pork And Swiss Cheese Sandwich On Sweet Bread Medianoche Food

OVEN-TOASTED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread bread slices evenly with mayo. Place 4 of the bread slices, mayo-sides down, on greased baking sheet; spread tops with mustard.
• Cover each with 6 ham slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 cheese slice. Top with remaining 4 bread slices, mayo-sides up.
• Bake 12 to 13 min. or until golden brown on both sides, turning over after 6 min.

HOME-CURED HOLIDAY HAM

Steps:

• Place kosher salt, brown sugar, pickling spice, and pink salt in a container large enough to hold the brine and the ham.
• Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and pour over the brine ingredients; whisk to dissolve. Pour in 1 gallon fresh cold water to cool down the mixture.
• Score the skin side of the pork roast with a sharp knife. Cut into the fat beneath the skin but not into the meat. Score about 1 inch apart, then score in the opposite direction to get the classic diamond-shaped pattern.
• Lower scored roast into the cooled brine, skin side up. Use a plate to weigh down the roast so that it cures fully submerged in the liquid. Refrigerate for 1 day for every 2 pounds of pork (for a 7 pound roast, cure for at least 2 1/2 days). Turn the roast over halfway through the brining process.
• Remove roast from brining liquid. Discard the brining liquid and transfer the roast back to the brining container. Cover the roast with fresh cold water to rinse off some of the salt. Depending on how salty you want your ham, you can soak it for just a few minutes or overnight. Remove roast from the water and blot dry with paper towels.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Add a cup of water to a roasting pan with 2 whole star anise. Place roast on a rack in the roasting pan.
• Roast until ham reaches an internal temperature of 130 to 135 degrees F, about 2 hours. Ham will not be fully cooked at this point. If water has nearly evaporated, add a splash more. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Continue to roast until skin is browned and crispy and ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 to 150 degrees F.
• To make the optional glaze, mix the mustard, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and salt together in a bowl. Brush glaze on the ham at this point, not before. Return roast to oven for about 5 minutes to crisp it even further.

HAM AND CHEESE CHICKEN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Flatten each piece of chicken slightly, using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and parsley flakes; place in a shallow dish. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken, turning to coat. Cover the chicken and chill 1 hour.
• Drain the chicken. Place a folded ham slice and a folded cheese slice on each chicken breast; fold the breast in half, and secure with a wooden toothpick.
• Cook the chicken, covered with the grill lid, over medium-hot coals (350 degrees to 400 degrees) for 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is done, turning once.
• Remove the wooden toothpicks, and place the chicken on the bottom half of each bun with mustard and lettuce. Cover with the tops of the buns.

BAKED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut aluminum foil into pieces large enough to hold each sandwich.
• Whisk or beat the butter with the mayonnaise, mustard, onion powder and poppy seeds.
• Spread sauce on both sides of each bun, if desired, sauce quantity may be doubled, and more can be used, although not all of it will be required.
• Place ham slices on the bottom side of each bun. Put cheese slices evenly on top of ham.
• Replace bun tops, wrap in foil.
• Bake sandwiches, on a sheet tray, for up to 25 minutes, unwrap and serve.
• If desired, buns may be frozen thoroughly, and baked at 350 for 1 hour, up to 1 month later.

MEDIANOCHE (MIDNIGHT SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Spread both sides of each roll with mustard. Layer the bottom half with ham, pork, and cheese to cover the bread from end to end. Top with sliced pickles to taste. Brush the outside of the bread, both top and bottom, with butter.
• Heat a sandwich press over medium heat. Lightly brush the inside of the press with additional butter. Press the sandwich until the cheese is melted and the meats are warm, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Alternately, heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Create a press by wrapping a brick, heavy skillet, or can of soup in aluminum foil. Place the sandwich in the skillet and press down on the sandwich, turning once, until it is warmed through and the outside crust is golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Slice on the diagonal and serve.