Victors Cuban Sandwich Food

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.

ORIGINAL CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut Cuban bread to desired size, common size is 7 inches. Next, slice open the bread down the middle. On the topside of the bread spread 1-ounce of mustard, evenly across. Then place 4 pickles on top of the mustard. You then place 1 slice of Swiss cheese on top of the pickles. Slice ham to desired thickness, recommended size is 1 1/2 ounces per slice, the thinner the better. Now fold each slice of ham in half and place evenly on bottom of bread. On top of the ham, place slices of roast pork, 1 1/2 ounces per slice. You then join both halves of the sandwich. You are now ready to grill your Cuban sandwich.
• Use a sandwich grill if you have one, a waffle iron if not. Spread butter on top of the bread evenly. Close the grill, smashing the sandwich. Leave sandwich in the grill until top of bread turns to a golden brown, and top is crisp. Approximate time is 4 to 6 minutes. After the sandwich is crispy and the cheese has melted, remove the sandwich carefully and slice it diagonally, from corner to corner. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN!

VICTOR'S CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Slather mustard on bread, to taste.
• Lather on pork, ham, cheese andpickle.
• Grill in a sandwich press (or wrap in foil, press, and warm in oven at 350 degrees)for 15 minutes.
• Enjoy!

VICTOR'S CAFE 52 CUBAN BLACK BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Wash beans. Soak them in water with 1 large green pepper, sliced, until tender, about 8 hours. Cook beans in same water for 45 minutes.
• In medium skillet, saute sliced onion and remaining green pepper in 2/3 cup olive oil. Once soft, add this to the beans with salt, pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and sugar. Simmer for 1 hour.
• Add vinegar and wine; simmer for another hour.
• Meanwhile, in a flat pan, heat 3 T. oil. Fry garlic until it is light brown, then remove garlic from oil and discard.
• Add water and salt to the oil in pan and bring to a boil. Add rice immediately.
• Lower flame, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
• When ready to serve beans, stir in 2 t. olive oil and serve the beans over white rice.
• This recipe can be halved easily or the leftovers can be frozen.