PLs Cuban Sandwich

As promised, today I am going to feature my version of the cuban sandwich.  Remember to make extras of the Simple Pork Chops because you'll want to have enough to try this out--you may even convince your mind that you are somewhere on South Beach or sitting in Havana!

Equipment:

Toaster Oven

Sharp knife

Ingredients:

Leftover or Freshly-made Pork chops, sliced in half

Thin Sliced Ham

Gouda, Havarti, or Munster type cheese

Italian baguette (this is a lighter baguette, less chewy and less dense than a French baguette)

Mayonnaise

Mustard (I use Gulden's Brown)

Kosher Dill Pickles

Instructions:

1. Wash Your Hands.

2. Slice your baguette into thirds, cut in half and toast lightly.

(Buy an extra baguette and freeze it pre-sliced for future garlic bread or other sandwiches)

3. Carefully slice the pork chops in half, approx 1/8" in width.

4. Begin your assembly:

--Mayo and mustard, both sides

--pickles, one side

--ham, one side

--pork slices on top of ham

5. Briefly toast again until cheese is softened.

6. Combine both sides of the sandwich.

7. Dig in! Crunchy, warm, and so satisfying!

Moms Rice Pilaf

Growing up this was my favorite recipe and I requested it for virtually every birthday dinner I could...along with the Swedish Meatballs.  Mom didn't use noodles, but instead used rice pilaf.  When Jon asked to get copies of all of his favorite recipes (before I realized that a blog, ie paperless, was the way to go), this was one of his first requests.

At this point, and after a 99 posts, I think it is time that this recipe can be attempted by a college chef with the limited cooking skills--just think of all the recipes you have tried so far--this one is just a simple combination of previous skills, nothing more!

Great side dish with Swedish Meatballs (recipe will follow later in the year), but I have made it for chicken piccata, chicken souvlaki, plain old pork chops, and it is delicious left-over.  In college, I would make a double batch, freeze it for those days when I just didn't feel like cooking.  Tell me what you think!

Equipment:
5 quart saucepan with tight-fitting lid
Knife, for chopping

Ingredients:
4 Tbls of butter, divided in 2 Tbls each
1 small to medium onion, chopped and diced
2 stalks celery, quartered and chopped

1 cup of long-grain white rice, uncooked
1 package of Campbell's Soup Secrets 'Chicken Noodle' with Diced White Chicken Meat
2 1/2 cups of water
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp sage
1/4 tsp thyme

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Melt 2 Tbls of butter in 5-qt saucepan and saute onion and celery until translucent.

3. Remove the onion and celery once soft.  Set aside.

4. Melt 2 Tbls of butter in same 5-qt saucepan and add uncooked long-grain rice.

5. Brown rice kernels until golden brown over MEDIUM heat.  Be careful not to burn kernels.
6. Stir frequently while browning kernels.

7. Add soup packet, water, onions, celery, salt, pepper, sage and thyme.

8. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to SIMMER-LOW and put lid on top.

9. DO NOT REMOVE LID TO PEEK OR CHECK
10. Simmer on LOW heat for 15 minutes, covered.  Remove from heat and fluff with fork.

11. Let sit for 5 minutes.

I served our rice pilaf last night with chicken piccata (recipe coming in the next weeks as well) and roasted brussel sprouts.