Cuban Medianoche Sandwich Recipe

(How to make a Sandwich Cubano / Medianoche)

Some of you may ask, why have a recipe for a Cuban sandwich, and one for a medianoche?  The answer is simple, there is a distinction between the two.  The medianoche earns its name from the time that it was typically eaten.  After a night of dancing, the medianoche is a perfect way to stave off hunger.  Its often smaller than a typical Cuban sandwich, and it is made on a sweeter variety of bread (typically a yellow egg bread).  On a traditional medianoche, there should not be any mayonnaise, tomatoes, onions, bell pepper or lettuce.  Often times, one can use leftover meats from the fridge for a medianoche.  In making a good medianoche, remember this.  The Roast Pork is what will make the sandwich, so you can never leave it out.  

3 thin slices of ham

3 thin slices roast pork hot or cold (I use hot, slow roasted pork)

3 thin slices of Swiss cheese

3 or 4 slices of pickles

1/3 cut Cuban bread (sweet yellow bread)

You should be using fresh, sweet Cuban bread.  If you don't have access to a bakery that sells this bread, an alternative is the Jewish Challah egg bread that they sell at the Albertson's bakery (if its not on display, you can actually request that they make it for you).  Technically those loaves are too big, but in terms of taste, its similar. 

Slice the bread open face so that both halves are still barely connected and spread mustard on both halves.  Add the ham, and then the roasted pork.  When in a hurry, you can use one whole piece of roasted pork.  Add your Swiss cheese and then a few pickle slices.  Make sure to spray your sandwich press with a little butter flavored Pam, or brush some soft butter on the outside of the bread.  Place the sandwich in a sandwich press and press down until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly hard to the touch.  For those of you without a press, you can also place the sandwich in a hot skillet and press down on it with a heavy kitchen object.  (some, believe it or not, use a brick wrapped in tin foil when nothing else is available).  For years I've used a Gaunaurd sandwich maker, it has removable, easy to clean plates.  Never use a panini grill, they simply don't heat sandwiches evenly and a real Cuban doesn't have lines grilled into it.  When finished, slice the sandwich diagonally across the middle so that you have two triangle shaped wedges.  Enjoy!

To answer a question I am often emailed: there is only one website I know of that sells REAL Medianoche Bread online, click here to visit their site.  They call it "Midnight Bread" in their bakery section, and the stuff is fantastic.

New - I recently found this article on how a Cuban Sandwich is made over at the "Off The Broiler" website.  Although their recipe differs slightly than the one listed above, its an excellent set of photos showing how to prepare a Sandwich Cubano.  DON'T click the link if you're hungry, the photos are incredible.  They also have a review of a Cuban diner in Miami with great pictures.

Webmaster's note: If you are having trouble roasting the pork yourself, some supermarkets such as Albertsons sell a decent precooked roasted pork such as Hormel Pork Roast Au Jus in their meat and chicken section.  Sliced thin or shredded, its very good (but always opt to roast your own).

Cuban Sandwich Picture courtesy of OffTheBroiler.Com

Sandwich Cubano Picture courtesy of OffTheBroiler.Com

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Instructions on How to make an authentic Cuban medianoche midnight recipe / receta / recetas.