Chef That! Pork Belly Cubano!

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a delicious Pork Belly Cubano sandwich, inspired by chef Jordan Kahn. This recipe combines crispy-skinned pork belly with melted Gruyère cheese, tangy pickles, and mustard, all packed into a toasted sandwich. Perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, this step-by-step guide will help you recreate this culinary delight at home.

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Belly

• Ingredients Needed:
  • Pork belly
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Score the skin of the pork belly in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.
  3. Season the pork belly generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  4. Place the pork belly on a baking sheet, skin side up, and roast in the oven for about 2-3 hours until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender.

Step 2: Slice the Pork Belly

• Instructions:
  1. Once the pork belly is cooked, allow it to cool slightly.
  2. Use a sharp knife to slice the pork belly into thin pieces for the sandwich. Aim for slices about 1/4 inch thick for optimal texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich

• Ingredients Needed:
  • Cuban bread or your choice of bread
  • Gruyère cheese, sliced
  • Pickles, sliced
  • Mustard
• Instructions:
  1. Take two slices of Cuban bread and spread mustard on one side of each slice.
  2. Layer the sliced pork belly evenly on one slice.
  3. Add a generous layer of Gruyère cheese on top of the pork belly.
  4. Place sliced pickles over the cheese.
  5. Top with the second slice of bread, mustard side down.

Step 4: Grill the Sandwich

• Instructions:
  1. Preheat a skillet or panini press over medium heat.
  2. Lightly butter the outside of the sandwich for a golden crust.
  3. Place the sandwich in the skillet or press and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  4. If using a skillet, you can place a weight on top of the sandwich to ensure even grilling.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Instructions:
  1. Once grilled, remove the sandwich from heat and let it rest for a minute.
  2. Cut the sandwich in half and serve immediately, perhaps with a side of chips or a simple salad.

Conclusion

You’ve now mastered the art of making a Pork Belly Cubano sandwich! This recipe highlights the rich flavors of crispy pork belly, creamy cheese, and zesty pickles. Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients like jalapeños or different types of cheese to make it your own. Enjoy your culinary creation!