Medianoche Sandwich | Cuban Recipe

Swiss cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Low-fat cheese reduces calories while still providing flavor.

roast pork

🥗Healthier: grilled chicken

💰Cheaper: pork loin

Grilled chicken offers a leaner option without sacrificing taste.

sweet bread

🥗Healthier: whole wheat bread

💰Cheaper: regular sandwich bread

Whole wheat bread increases fiber content.

ham

🥗Healthier: turkey ham

💰Cheaper: bologna

Turkey ham is lower in fat, while bologna is more affordable.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drizzle about 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over 3 pieces of center cut boneless pork loin in an 8 by 8 inch glass square dish.

Drizzle 1 teaspoon of honey over the pork and season with salt and pepper to taste, rubbing it in to coat the pork.

Flip the pork over and season the other side with salt and pepper, without adding honey.

Bake the pork in the oven for about 30 minutes until cooked through, checking that the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the pork is baking, prepare the brioche buns by laying out the tops and bottoms of the sandwiches.

On the bottom of each sandwich, place 2 pieces of ham.

Add the roasted pork on top of the ham, slicing it horizontally if needed to make it thinner.

Spread about 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard on the top of each sandwich.

Place 2 slices of Swiss cheese on each sandwich, laying them off kilter for better melting.

Cut the stems off 9 baby pickles and slice them, adding about 3 slices to each sandwich.

Set the assembled sandwiches aside for a couple of minutes while preparing the pan.

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and add 1/2 tablespoon of butter.

Place one sandwich in the pan and press down on it with a heavy bottomed cast iron skillet to mimic a panini press.

Cook until the bottom is crispy, checking periodically, then flip the sandwich to cook the other side until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens