August 20, 2009

on the streets of miami

from some past lunch shots you may have figured out that i'm a sandwich girl. one of my all time favorites is a cubano - it takes me back to fun memories of miami, u2 and my friend mellie. miami is a different world - it makes me wish, as i often do, that i was born in the forties so i could still take a trip to havana. in miami, there are churros freshly fried and delish, sold in brown paper bags for a dollar. in miami there are ocean breezes scented with coconut oil, spicy peppers and heritage. this is a signature lunch in miami (well, except the antipasti would be replaced by plantain chips.)

in miami this sandwich is served on sweet, rich, dense cuban bread and is heated via pressing. it seems i can't find cuban bread in montgomery - french baguettes work well, but i had a couple flour tortillas left over from dinner the other night and i gave it a whirl.

so...the southern cubano (charlane style)
1 flour tortilla
3-4 thin slices a ham of choice
3-4 thin slices roast pork (available in the deli section)
3 (to taste) dill pickle slices
2 slice swiss cheese
mustard (i didn't use it because i don't like it, but traditional cubans use it)

lay tortilla flat (cover with a thin coat of mustard if desired) and half cheese slices, lay them to cover tortilla but not overlapping. then place ham and pork slices to cover the cheese. layer in pickle slices. slowly roll tortilla to ensure all sandwich makings stay inside (i used the cheese as a guide).

spray pan with pam (or another non-stick cooking spray, or butter if you're feeling decadent) and heat pan. place sandwich in pan, seam side down. press using either a spatula, or if you have one handy - another iron skillet. (i keep meaning to wrap a brick with tinfoil as that works nicely.) once browned, flip carefully and press again.

it was yummy.

27 comments:

  1. It looks good Char, guess wwho else is a sandwich girl...omg I love my bread...not good for me.Take care.

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  2. I love me some sandwiches, too and this one looks awesome.

    I used to watch Friends all the time. There's a trivia question that goes like this:

    What's Joey Tribiani's favorite meal? Yes, it's a sandwich.

    Doesn't matter what kind of sandwich, Joey loved them all. I miss that show.

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  3. SALIVATING! i love cuban food. there is a super cuban restaurant in los angeles that has delicious and affordable food. YUM. i may have to go there soon. and i MUST try this. YUM!

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  4. oh man this is making me hungry. i wish i had the ingredients right now i would be making this sandwich. yum.

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  5. That is a good-looking sandwich! And I like the plate it's sitting on, too!

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  6. Sandwiches are the best. I wonder if sliced sweet peppers would be good with this. I think I will have to try it.

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  7. Oh wow, my mouth is watering! My current favorite is salami, chopped Kalamata olives and hot/sweet scotch bonnets on Italian bread, with a little balsamic vinegar. Fresh mozzarella is nice on it, too. :)

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  8. I'm not a fan of the traditional sandwich, but I am starting to like flatbreads and pitas - something which really enhances the fixings inside. This looks delicious, and your 40's comment hits home. I sometimes identify with different time periods, and those who lived in them. You got me thinking again:).

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  9. maybe I should just hire you to come and stay here and be my personal chef....now there's an idea !

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  10. ahi mami, you have made me so hungry. looks fab! i am so ready for a mojhito now. xoxo

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  11. Simple and scrumptious..two of my favourite words all wrapped up in one yummy looking sandwich..will definitely try this one- thanks! Have a great weekend!

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  12. you are the fourth person today that I found blogging about food! (And I have not even eat my breafast!). That's looks absolutely yummilicious, especially when I see it with empty stomach!

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  13. yum ..beats my diet of protein shakes!

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  14. We just had some great Cubans at the Farmer's Market in Ithaca a couple weeks ago - they really are a very simple combo, but so so yummy!Such a lovely photo - you should submit to Foodgawker and Tastespotting.

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  15. That looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe....I want one!

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  16. Yummmmmm...this sounds really good! I bet it was wonderful :)

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  17. how about I take pictures of you and you can cook for me...I am starving just lookin' at this!

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  18. Char...this looks SO YUMMY...I would totally enjoy someone to make me this for lunch.
    AND...I haven't been by recently but I LOVE your new layout...very clean and not distracting at all...are you keeping it?
    I should probably go back a couple of posts to see what's been up in your World!
    Thanks for passing by and checking out the Mural I've been working on...it was a lot of fun.

    You're next on TELL all TUESDAYS this week...looking forward to it
    :-)
    Have a great weekend.
    Char

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  19. you had me at tortilla...everything goes into a flour tortilla in texas...great sandwich char...

    on a completely random note..how far away are you from Dauphin Island Alabama?

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  20. There is a Cuban restaurant in Providence where I have had one of these great pressed sandwiches...m-m-m-yummy!....Love that lemon drop dist too!

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  21. Looks so incredibly delicious!

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  22. Yummmmmmmm! I adore Cuban sandwiches. Must try this!

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.