I’ve always had a love affair with the Cubano sandwich. What’s not to love? These Cubano Sliders are packed with so much flavor and texture, it makes me happy just to look at one sitting on my plate.
I’ve dined on many Cubano’s, some good, but some so spectacular it’s all I could think about for days after dining on the sandwich. Which is what happened after watching the movie “Chef“. I stayed up late one evening, waiting for my teenager to arrive home by curfew, (because I can’t sleep until I know she’s home safe and sound) so I decided to watch the movie “Chef”. I like the cast of actors and of course the premise for the movie intrigued me. 😉
I laughed, I cried, I empathized, I cheered… and then I was hungry.
The movie reminded me why I’m so passionate about cooking. Why I love food and why I love to feed people. Why I stick with a career that can be both physically and mentally demanding but completely creative and rewarding at the same time.
Guess what was on the menu a few days later? Cubano Sliders.
Not long after my Cubano weekend, I was creating menu ideas for one of my clients “small plates” themed issues and I realized how much fun these Cubano Sliders would be for a small plates dinner party.
I couldn’t let the summer slip by without sharing these little lovelies with you. These Cubano Sliders are perfect for entertaining or dinner or even and after school snack. Personally, I could eat them any time of the day or night.
A festive and delicious way to end the summer season and begin the new school year.
Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love!
Karista
Cubano Sliders
Notes
I originally created this recipe for Home By Design Magazine August/September 2015 issue.
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin, about ¾ - 1lb
For the Marinade
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 small onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground all-spice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves
For the Slider
- Marinated pork tenderloin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground all-spice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lb sliced baked ham
- 1 small jar of sliced pickles
- 10 slices Swiss cheese
- Yellow mustard
- Slider Buns
Instructions
- To marinate the pork, place the tenderloin in a non-reactive or glass dish. Mix together the orange juice, pineapple juice, sliced onion, garlic, cumin, all-spice cinnamon stick, cilantro and salt. Pour this mixture over the tenderloin and cover with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator and let it marinate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- To prepare the pork, preheat the oven to 375F. Remove the pork from the marinade and discard the marinade. Paper towel dry the pork and then rub it with one tablespoon of olive oil. Mix together the salt, pepper and the all-spice and rub it onto the pork. Place the pork in a baking dish and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145F.
- Remove the pork from the oven and let it cool. Once the pork has cooled, thinly slice the pork and set aside.
- Turn the oven down to 350F.
- Slice the slider buns in half and place them on a baking sheet. Add a slice of Swiss cheese to both the top and bottom of each slider bun. Then add a dash of mustard on top of the cheese on both the bottom and top of each slider bun.
- Place thin sliced pork tenderloin, thin sliced pickles and thin sliced baked ham on the bottom slider buns. Place the tops of the buns (with just the cheese and mustard) over the pork and pickles and the press down slightly to keep the sliders in tact.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and let them warm until the cheese begins to melt, about 5 minutes or so.
- Remove the sliders from the oven and serve.
Looks delicious! I will try it this week. I too, watched Chef again recently – it has become one of my favorite films.
We served cubanos as a special on the menu recently. They were a big hit and sold out fast.
Your recipe looks fantastic.
Cheers
Ricky 3 Chopsticks Wong
Thank you! Yes, it’s one of my favorite movies. We have a restaurant here that makes the most awesome Cubano’s as well. And they always sell out too! Thanks for commenting 🙂
These are the cutiest li’l Media Noches I’ve ever seen!
Thank you Coco! We love these little sammies, especially during football season! 🙂
I feel informed – I have never heard of Cubanos before, and I’m still getting to grips with “sliders” 🙂 But I’m loving the idea!
Haha! I know what you mean Claire. But they are tasty little sandwiches and so fun to serve to guests. Casual and delicious. Thanks for stopping by! Karista