So. The Cubano. I think this has been imprinted onto my brain from Watching the movie Chef. Ever since I saw this sandwich I wanted to make one.

Well today was the day I finally did. And boy was it worth it. Video Above and details below.

I had a Cubano at a place called Papi Chulo in Manly (In Sydney) and it was delicious. They actually used pulled pork instead of sliced pork which worked really well so I thought I’d give that a go.

The actual sandwich is pretty simple. You need the following

• A long roll like a baguette or soft sub. About 6 inches long.
• Sliced Cooked Ham
• Marinated Pork – roasted
• Mustard
• Pickles
• Swiss Cheese
• butter

I bought some really nice free range pork belly but you can use shoulder (I think this is the traditional cut to use) First up, the marinade. I got this marinade after some research online. From the chef Roy Choi based in Los Angeles.

The Marinade for the pork is as follows;

• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup lightly packed coriander, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp. finely grated orange zest
• ¾ cup fresh orange juice
• ½ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup lightly packed mint leaves, finely chopped
• 8 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp.
• minced oregano 2 tsp. g
• round cumin
• Maldon salt and pepper
• boneless pork shoulder, in one piece or pork loin / belly.

The best way to cook the sandwich is on a proper sandwich press but if you don’t have this then a good heavy based frying pan is fine.

1. combine the marinade ingredients and pour over the pork and massage well into the meat. Cover and put in the fridge overnight.
2. The next day remove the pork from the fridge about 1 hour before you want to cook it. Then put in the oven on 210°C  for 30 mins then turn down to 160°C and cook for 3 hours.
3. Remove enough pork for your sandwich and pull apart. Drizzle a little of the sauce from the pan over this.
4. Now prepare the rest of the ingredients. Just slice the cheese and pickles. Cut the roll in half lengthways.
5. Butter the cut side of the roll. Get a heavy based frying pan on a medium to hight heat and cook off the buttered sides of the bread until lightly golden.
6. Pop to one side then add the sliced ham to the pan and lightly brown off on both sides.
7. Now spread mustard on the bread. Add the pickles then add the ham, a few slices of cheese, then add the pulled pork, then the rest of the cheese. Pop the top on then it’s into the pan!
8. Spread some butter on the pan, again on a medium heat and cook. While that side is cooking butter the top side then turn over. You’d probably want to cook on both sides for about 3-4 mins.
9. I actually popped it in the oven on 200°c for 5 mins to just help the cheese to melt a bit more.

Thats it. Done. Just cut in half and eat away.