CUBAN+RECIPES

Picadillo (Courtesy of Rosalina Patterson)
Cooking Directions
 * 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
 * 3/4 c diced onion
 * 3/4 c green pepper
 * 1 tbsp minced garlic
 * 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
 * 2/3 c tomato sauce
 * 1/3 c sliced green olives
 * 1 1/2 tbsp brine packed capers, drained
 * 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
 * 1/2 tsp ground cumin
 * 1/2 tsp dried Cuban oregano
 * 1/4 tsp sugar
 * salt to taste
 * 1) Heat oil and saute onion and green pepper
 * 2) Add garlic after 2 minutes then cook for 10 minutes
 * 3) Add beef and saute till lightly browned, about 5 minutes
 * 4) Stir in tomato sauce and rest of ingredients
 * 5) Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes. In the end, consistency should be like a "Sloppy Joe"

El Sandwich Cubano (Courtesy of "Eating Cuban") [9]
Cooking Directions
 * 2 loaves //Pan Cubano//
 * 2 to 3 tbsp yellow mustard
 * 1/4 c mayo
 * 2 to 3 long sliced dill pickles
 * 1/3 lb thinly sliced Swiss cheese
 * 1/3 lb thinly sliced ham
 * 1/3 lb shredded or thinly sliced //Puerco Asado//
 * 3 to 4 tbsp melted butter
 * 1) Trim edges off loaves and cut into 8 in sections then split lengthwise
 * 2) Spread mustard and mayo on slices
 * 3) Layer pickle onto then add layers of cheese, ham and puerco
 * 4) Place other slice of bread on top.
 * 5) Use a preheated panini press, brush tops of sandwiches with butter and press down on sandwich. If press is a handheld, use a cast iron skillet for "bottom part of press". Cheese should be melted and coming out of sandwich a little.

Mojito Criollo (Courtesy of "Eating Cuban") [9]
Cooking Directions
 * 6 fresh mint leaves
 * 1/4 tsp finely grated lime zest
 * 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
 * 1/4 c sugarcane juice or simple syrup if sugarcane isn't available
 * 2 oz light rum
 * 1/2 c cracked ice
 * 1/4 soda water or 7-up
 * 1 stick of sugarcane (if available)
 * 1) Using a mortar, crush mint and lime zest.
 * 2) Combine mint, lime zest and lime juice and everything else (but the soda) in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
 * 3) Pour into a tall glass and top with 7-up. Use sugarcane stick for garnish.