Happy Wednesday!
I’m pretty excited because I have a giveaway today! I’ve been trying to give away a cookbook every month – like, you know, a cookbook that came out that month. It was going to be my thing this year. But then the book I bought for March was kind of a dud. I still haven’t made anything from it.
And then I ordered the Whole 30 cookbook for April and just got distracted with the move and then being so sick. That one’s awesome though. Highly recommend it for anyone looking to eat healthier.
Now I’m back on track and I have a really great book this month!
It’s Pure Pork Awesomeness by Kevin Gillespie and it really is all pork and all awesomeness.
I pre-ordered this one months ago because I loooove Kevin Gillespie. He’s probably my favorite Top Chef contestant of all time – mostly because everything he does involves pork!
There are so many delicious looking recipes in this book. I made Tacos al Pastor for Taco Tuesday last week and they were so delicious. My kids don’t like tacos (clearly there was a mix up in the hospital – 3 times) but they wolfed those down.
And then last night I made these Cuban Sandwiches. I’ve never actually had a Cuban Sandwich but between his cilantro mayo and the slow-cooked pork, I was sold.
These were probably the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Ever. In my entire life.
I already mentioned the mayo and the pork – there’s also two kinds of cheese, pickles, ham, and rich, delicious bread.
I’m pretty sad that we have no leftovers.
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Cuban Sandwich (plus a cookbook giveaway!)
Ingredients
For the Slow-Cooked Pork Barbacoa:
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 5 pound bone-in pork shoulder
- 1 onion, quartered
- 10 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 dried bay leaves
For the Cuban Sandwich:
- 1 ¼ cups mayo
- juice of 1 large orange
- juice of 1 lime
- 5 gloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup cilantro
- 4 Cuban-style sandwich loaves, or 1 loaf brioche or challah, cut into slices
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 cup grated Gouda cheese
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
- 4 ounces thick-sliced deli ham
- dill pickle slices, preferably flat, thinly sliced
Instructions
To make the Slow-Cooked Pork Barbacoa:
- Heat oven to 350F.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, chili powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Pat the pork dry and generously season all over with the salt mixture. Cut a large piece (about 24 inches) of heavy-duty foil and place in a roasting pan. Add the roast, onion, garlic, and bay leaves and wrap everything up tightly in the foil. Roast for 3 ½ hours.
- Remove from over and let rest, wrapped in foil, for 30 minutes. Discard the onion, garlic, and bay leaves before shredding the meat.
To make the Cuban Sandwiches:
- In a blender, combine the mayo, ½ cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, garlic, cumin, and salt and blend until smooth. Add the cilantro and blend until smooth and creamy.
- The order of assembly is important here! Spread the bottom slice of bread with mustard and sprinkle with the Gouda. Build the rest of the sandwich on the top slice of bread, starting with the Gruyere, following by a slice of ham and the Barbacoa. Place a liberal layer of pickles over the pork, and top that with a full-on slathering of the cilantro mayo. Flip the bottom up onto the top and press down firmly to compact.
- Cook the sandwich grilled cheese-style on low heat until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 3562Total Fat: 253gSaturated Fat: 89gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 145gCholesterol: 896mgSodium: 7716mgCarbohydrates: 106gFiber: 8gSugar: 30gProtein: 207g
Both copies of the book were purchased by me. Some links are affiliate links.
Alyson M. says
These look amazing!!
Sarah says
Pulled pork sandwiches are my favorite. Delicious and easy to make.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Yum! Love me some Kevin Gillespie! I would like one of those sandwiches too. It looks beyond delicious and perfect for dinner….or breakfast :)
erica says
pulled pork is my favorite, but a really good cuban is stellar too!
sounds like a great recipe!
Jeanne says
I don’t even really like pork but this sounds fantastic !
Love reading what you have to say daily – you definitely brighten my day !
Welcome to Texas !
Dorothy Hardy says
Love to make Chili Verde! So good,and great as left overs!
Sandy Headtke says
Pulled pork is a family favorite.
heather | girlichef says
I love Cubans SO much, and I’ve been craving them for a while now…this only makes it worse! I love to eat pork in pretty much every way, but good carnitas are probably my favorite.
itzia says
i love pulled pork. no bread necessary.
Kim says
I love pulled pork sandwiches!! with some coleslaw yumm!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I LOVE cuban sandwiches. . reminds me of the movie, Chef! and yeah baby . . bring on the pork!!! I love pork all kinds of ways . . slow cooked until it falls apart or grilled pork chops!!!
Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do says
That is one gorgeous sandwich!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
What!? What kid doesn’t like tacos.. thats insanity! But I would so be with them on scarfing these cuban sandwiches down. Girl.. amazing!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Holy deliciousness…I need me one of these ASAP!!
Jennifer says
Oh. My. And it’s almost lunchtime :)
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I love Cubans’ and there is not a place in Cincinnati that makes a good Cuban. Now I can make them at home. Thanks for the recipe and the tips on the cookbook!
Alexandra says
Yum! Gotta make these.
Amy @Very Culinary says
My kids don’t really like anything Mexican! I can’t even deal with it. Love these sandwiches and the book sounds fab. Because all. the. pork. YES.
Jan R says
I love cold boston butt slice for sandwich with mayo salt and pepper and onions…Yum!
Sarah S says
The sandwiches look delicious! Love Kevin too, and I would love his cookbook!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
These sandwiches look like pure awesomeness! Absolutely pinning this one for later. Bacon is my favorite way to ingest pork :)
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
I love Cuban sandwiches! These look amazing Amanda!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says
I love pulled pork!
I haven’t had a cuban since I was in Key West on our Babymoon. This has me drooling!!
Annette says
I love pork, but haven’t been very successful in cooking it. The only pork recipe I’ve made that I loved was pulled pork. I used it for sandwiches and tacos. I love pork roast, but will only order it when at a restaurant. I so want to have some good pork recipes, so I can cook more of it at home.
Deanna McK says
I tried leaving a comment to enter the contest but I don’t think it worked…. anyway, that sandwich looks wonderful … I love how brown and “crusty” the bread looks. I love pork any way it’s cooked but especially love grilled pork chops! Now, send me that cookbook….lolol
Lora @cakeduchess says
I’m surrounded by Cuban places here in S. Fl and luckily can get a good Cuban sandwich whenever hit with a craving. Now I’m seriously craving yours because it looks fantastic, Amanda!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
What a great giveaway! I love pork and my husband is even crazier about it! Also cuban sandwiches are one of my favorites – I always used to get them at this little sandwich shop by our home before we moved. Now I’ll have to make this one since I’ve been missing them! These look even better!
Elin says
I love pork in any form! But I love a good pulled pork sandwich with Carolina style sauce!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
My hubby loves Cuban’s!! I need to make these for him. He would love me forever!! :-) Great recipe Amanda! PS I’m so looking into the Whole 30 cookbook. I need to get this body back into shape!
Margot C says
I love a pulled pork sandwich, but I would have to call my favorite pork – bacon!
[email protected] says
Ohmygosh I HAVE to try the pork….and then these sandwiches! We would love them!
Amanda says
This sandwich looks amazing!!!
Theresa N says
I love pulled pork over rice.
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
When I do pork in anything but a smoker or grill, it has to be full of flavor, like carnitas or the pork in this recipe. The flavors sound amazing and the sandwich looks great. Definitely something we would love at my house. :)
Kim Beaulieu says
Gah, how do I not have this cookbook? Omg, so wrong. I need, I want it, I must have it. I can’t wait to try this. And the tacos. All the things. Now.