El Jefe Cubano

"It's all about the love, mijo. You gotta put love in every dish."
— Carl Casper (Jon Favreau)

🥗 Ingredients

For the Mojo Pork:

• 3 lb pork shoulder (bone-in preferred)
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and black pepper

For Assembly:

• 4 Cuban bread rolls (or soft French bread)
• 1 lb ham, thinly sliced
• 8 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
• Dill pickle slices (plenty!)
• Yellow mustard
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened

ℹ️ Click ingredients to shop on Amazon. We may earn a small commission.

📋 Instructions

1. Make the mojo marinade: In a blender, combine orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Blend until smooth. This is your "mojo" ? the secret to incredible Cuban pork.
2. Marinate the pork: Score the pork shoulder all over with a sharp knife (about 1-inch deep slits). Place in a large container or bag and pour the mojo over it, getting it into all the cuts. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
3. Roast the pork: Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Place pork in a roasting pan with the marinade. Cover tightly with foil and roast for 3-4 hours until the internal temp hits 195°F and the meat is falling-apart tender. Let rest 15 minutes, then shred with two forks.
4. Prepare the bread: Slice Cuban bread rolls lengthwise. If using French bread, cut into 6-inch portions. Spread butter on the outside of each half.
5. Build the sandwich: On the unbuttered inside of the bottom half, spread yellow mustard generously. Layer: Swiss cheese, ham slices, a generous pile of shredded mojo pork, pickle slices, more Swiss cheese. Close with the top half (buttered side out).
6. Press it: Heat a panini press or cast iron skillet over medium heat. If using a skillet, place the sandwich in and press down firmly with another heavy skillet on top (or wrap a brick in foil!). Cook 3-4 minutes per side until the bread is golden, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
7. The reveal: Cut diagonally ? listen for that crunch! Serve immediately while the cheese is still stretchy. This is the moment of truth. As Carl would say, it's all about the love.