Media Noche Sandwiches
Recently, we discovered a new Cuban restaurant near where I play poker. I flashback to my childhood in Miami every time! It is great to be able to have Media Niche (Midnight) sandwiches again!, They are very similar to Cuban sandwiches except severed on a yellow eggy roll instead of a 10in chunk of split Cuban bread. Both are pressed sandwiches. The tough part is finding the bread. I may find a recipe for that too. But until then you can used any good soft sub roll, I won’t tell.
Ingredients
To make your own Cuban style Pork:
1 – 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, trimmed of silver skin and excess fat
*Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
*2 Tbs. garlic cloves, minced
*1/4 cup olive oil
*2 tablespoons orange juice
*1 tablespoon Key Lime juice
*1 teaspoon dried oregano
*1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Note: If you have access to Mojo Criollo you can use about 1/2 – 3/4 cup instead of * items)
For the Sandwiches (This makes 4 sandwiches, adjust as needed):
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
4 sweet rolls (see note), split in half lengthwise
8 slices deli quality ham
32 dill or bread-and-butter pickle chips
16 thin slices Swiss cheese
Directions:
For the Pork: (also delicious as the main course on its own)
- Adjust oven rack to upper middle position and preheat oven to 450°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Poke pork tenderloin all over with knife. Season with salt and pepper. Place pork on prepared baking sheet. If you have Mojo Criollo skip to step 3.
- Place garlic and olive oil in small bowl or teacup; oil should completely cover garlic. Microwave 45 seconds. Transfer to medium bowl and whisk in orange juice, lime juice, oregano, and cumin.
- Pour garlic mixture (or Mojo Criollo) over pork tenderloin, rubbing into perforations. Roast until temperature reads 145°F on instant-read thermometer, about 15 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and cool completely, about 30 minutes. Pork may be prepared one day in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container. Thinly slice pork.
For the Sandwiches:
- Combine 2 tablespoons butter and mustard in small bowl. Spread the cut sides of the rolls evenly with butter-mustard mixture
- Top roll bottoms with a layer of cheese, then pork slices, then ham, pickle chips, cheese again, and roll tops. Spread exterior of rolls with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
- Allow Panini to heat and butter both sides. Or add butter to a iron skillet place the sandwich inside and place another heavy pan on top to press. Cook sandwiches until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes per side.
Allow sandwiches to set about 2 minutes, then serve.