Michael Beltran’s Cuban Sandwich

steps

1. Cut ends off the bread loaf (“Give them a kiss before you toss them; it’s Abuela’s tradition,’’ Beltran says), slice loaf into six-inch pieces, and cut those in half. Generously brush mustard aioli on bottom slices and cover evenly with pickles. Next, build the sandwich with two layers of pork, and one layer each of sopressata, ham, and Landaff cheese. Top with bread
2. Warm a flat panini press. Slather sandwich generously with butter on both sides. Place on press. The key to this process is patience, Beltran says. “Don’t you dare press the panini press down. Let gravity do the work, you will see the top of the press slowly drop. Once the cheese is melted you will have achieved the Cuban sandwich by MichaelBeltran.”Cut in half and serve with an ice-cold Jupiña and plantain chips.

Mustard Aioli

• 1 cup homemade mayonnaise (or substitute Duke’s)
• 1 cup of yellow mustard (Beltran prefers Sir Kensington’s)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Combine all ingredients until smooth and set aside.

Roasted Pork

1. Marinate pork shoulder overnight in sour orange juice, oil, onion, and bay leaf. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Pat pork shoulder until completely dry. Combine spices, salt, and sugar, and generously season pork until completely coated. Place in a deep roasting pan with a rack.
2. Place pork shoulder in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Lower temperature to 275 degrees. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees, about another 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature. The pork can be made in advance and refrigerated until the following day. Allow five to six slices per sandwich.