Cuban Sandwich Sliders

Everyone loves Cuban sandwiches.  Contining with my re-imagining of popular recipes, I decided to make Cuban Sandwich Sliders.  The pork in real Cuban sandwiches is usually marinated in mojo sauce. I added the main ingredients in most mojo sauces to the ground pork.  Great idea!  Most of my recipes require tweaking and refining, but this one was perfect the first time.

Servings: 6 sliders

Time: Prep: 10 minutes Cooking: 20 minutes

Hardware: Measuring spoons and cups, a large mixing bowl, a large heavy bottomed skillet, a spatula, a paper towel covered plate, a baking sheet, and a butter knife 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 1 pound ground pork 
• ½ cup cracker crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon each salt & pepper
• 6 slider buns (mini-hamburger buns, potato rolls, etc.)
• ¼ pound Swiss cheese
• ¼ pound ham cold cuts (I like Boar’s Head Tavern Ham)
• 6 tablespoons of mustard
• 12 dill pickle slices

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. Mix the pork, 1 teaspoon olive oil, crumbs, egg, juices, and spices together in the mixing bowl.  It is best to do this by hand. 
3. Heat the remaining olive oil in the skillet on high.
4. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape into ¼ inch patties.  Cook each patty on medium for 5 minutes and then turn.  Cook for 5 more minutes or until cooked all the way through. Check the thickest patty and make sure the center has no pink. Place on the plate to drain.
5. Slice the cold cuts and cheese to fit the buns.
6. Cut the buns open and spread with mustard. Top one half of each bun with a patty.  Top each sandwich with two pickle slices, a slice of cheese and a slice of ham.  
7. Bake the sandwiches, open face, for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese completely melts.  Immediately close the sliders and press them down.
8. Serve with a side of black beans and rice.

Cuban Sliders with Black Beans and Rice