Homemade Cuban Complete Seasoning Food

CLASSIC CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker, preferably with pecan wood, to 200 degrees F.
• Coat the ham with the garlic, cumin and liberal amounts of salt and pepper. Rub the seasoning into the meat and place on a roasting rack or wire rack. Place the rack into the smoker and cook until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 4 hours. Let rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• Cut the flatbread into twelve 8-by-9-inch rectangles and toast with beef tallow on a griddle over high heat until light golden brown. Slice each rectangle in half horizontally, then smear the cut-sides with spicy mustard.
• On baking sheets, make twelve stacks of sliced ham and Swiss cheese; broil until the cheese is melted and the meat is warmed. Then put the stacks on the flatbread bottoms, top with some onions and pickles for sandwiches. Transfer the sandwiches to a hot griddle prepped with beef tallow and grill, pressing down with a weight, until golden brown. Slice the sandwiches on a diagonal to plate.
• Mix together the yeast, sugar and 1 1/2 cups of warm water (just under 110 degrees F) in a large bowl and set aside until tripled in size.
• Place the yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and add the flour, oil, salt and 4 cups of tepid water. Mix on low speed until incorporated, then mix on medium speed for 10 minutes. Remove the hook but leave the dough in the mixer bowl. Let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the dough from the bowl and divide into 4 pieces. Place each piece on an oiled baking sheet and let rest for 30 minutes. Press the dough out to fill the baking sheets, then let rest for another 20 minutes. Press the dough again to fill out the baking sheets; let rest for 20 more minutes. Press the dough for the third time to fill out the baking sheets; let rest for 5 minutes.
• Bake for 18 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through.

CUBAN SEASONING

Steps:

• Whisk together the bay leaves, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, and turmeric in a small bowl until combined.

THE ULTIMATE CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Begin by braising the pork shoulder. Tie the shoulder in 4 places with kitchen twine so it will hold its shape while being cooked or ask your butcher to do this for you. Season the pork with salt, pepper, cumin and oregano. Set the base of a pressure cooker over low-medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil.
• Add garlic and chili flakes and as the oil heats up it will become fragrant and infuse the oil. Add the pork. Add onions around the pork and brown slightly before adding orange juice, lime juice, stock and bay leaves.
• Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and cook for 20 to 25 minutes depending on the size of your pressure cooker. The pork should be tender when done. When done allow to cool in juices before removing twine and slicing.
• To prepare Cuban sandwiches, split bread in half then layer the sandwich with mustard, cheese, pickles, ham, pork then cheese again (the cheese glues everything together). Season with salt and pepper in between the ham and pork layers. (Optional: drizzle a little of the pork braising liquid over the meat as well).
• To cook, heat a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly coat with olive oil. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and top with another heavy skillet and a couple of heavy weights (bricks, or cans of tomatoes work well). Press down firmly and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the sandwich has compressed to about a third of its original size and the bread is super-crispy. Serve with beans, rice and plantain chips.

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.

TRADITIONAL CUBAN RECIPE: CUBAN MOJO (CUBAN MARINADE)

Steps:

• Mash garlic, salt and peppercorns, using a mortar and pestle or use food processor.
• Stir in juice.
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or longer at room temperature.
• *If making it without the oil - stop at this point and this makes a perfect marinade for seasoning, chicken, fish, pork &/or beef.
• Continue with preparing the mojo with oil - after you have stirred in juice add onion & oregano.
• Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes or longer at room temperature.
• In a saucepan heat olive oil to medium hot & then remove from heat.
• Whisk oil in garlic-juice mixture, until well blended.
• Stores for at least a week in the refrigerator.

CUBAN FRIED CHICKEN WITH MOJO SEASONING

Steps:

• To make the mojo, mix onion and garlic, along with the spices, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add these to a pan which has heated olive oil in it. Cook just until onion becomes translucent and then add juice, water, wine and vinegar; simmer about 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Sauce yield: 1/2 cup.
• To make the chicken, pierce meat in several places with long fork prongs and place in non-reactive (glass or stainless steel) bowl. Combine garlic and Mojo Seasoning Sauce. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• Remove chicken breasts from marinade, pat dry and fry them in olive oil until they are golden brown. Place chicken on serving platter and keep warm. Remove onion and garlic from marinade and brown in same pan. Sprinkle over chicken and garnish with parsley.