Cubano Bread Boxes Recipes

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Remove 1/4 inch of the crust from the ends of the loaf, then cut the loaf crosswise into 4 even pieces. Use a fork to score one cut end and gently dig a square hole into each piece of bread to make a box, leaving a 1/2-inch layer of bread around the walls and bottom (see Cook's Note). Save the removed crumbs for another use.
• Microwave the butter and a large pinch of salt in a small microwave-safe bowl until melted, about 1 minute. Brush the bread boxes inside and out with the melted butter. Put 1 slice of cheese at the bottom of each bread box. Put the boxes open-side up on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese melts and the inside of the bread is lightly browned and crispy in parts, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the pork chops liberally with salt and pepper. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the pork chops and cook until browned on both sides and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Rest for 5 minutes then slice thinly against the grain.
• Layer each bread box with 4 dill pickle chips, a quarter of the sliced pork, 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard, 4 more dill pickle chips, 2 slices deli ham and top with 1 additional slice of cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melts, about 5 minutes. Serve whole or cut in half.

Steps:

• 1. The day before baking your bread make the starter. Mix starter ingredients dissolving the yeast in very warm water, Not hot but warm. You want a thick paste when you add the flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let "ripen" in refrigerator for 24 hours. Left over starter will keep for several days in the refrigerator or can be frozen.
• 2. Dough: Dissolve the yeast and sugar in three 3 tablespoons of warm water in a large mixing bowl. When the mixture is foamy (5-10 minutes)Stir in lard. (It's best to melt the lard in the microwave but it should not be hot just warm) Let cool if the lard or shortening is too hot. Next add the remaining warm water and half of the batch of the starter. Refrigerate the other half or freeze.
• 3. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon. Stir in the salt and the flour 1 cup at a time. You want a dough that is stiff enough to knead. You can also mix and knead with a dough hook or in a food processor fitted with a double blade.
• 4. Turn dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic. About six to eight (6 to 8) minutes, Adding flour as necessary. The dough should be pliable and not real sticky.
• 5. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm draft-free spot until it doubles in bulk, about 45 minutes. Then Punch down.
• 6. After punching down next to form the loaves, divide the dough in 4 pieces. Roll each one out to form a 14 inch long tube, with rounded ends. (sort of like a long meatloaf) Put 2 loaves on a baking tray or sheet, about 6 inches apart. You can lightly spray each tray or sheet with a little Bakers helper or very lightly oil and flour the tray. Or you can use parchment paper first then spray a little with the Bakers helper. Cover the loaves with a dampened cloth or clean dish towel and let rise in a warm draft-free spot, until doubled in their bulk. About One (1) hour. Then Pre-heat the oven on 350 degrees, then lay a warm dampened thick piece of kitchen twine or butchers twine about 18 inches long, all along the top length of each loaf. Press the twine down on each loaf just a little. Bake the bread until the breads are a lightly golden brown on top and sound hollow when lightly tapped about 30 minutes baking time. Then remove let cool slightly and remove strings.
• 7. This will leave a distinct little ridge on top of each loaf. Very typical and the trademark of Authentic Cuban bread. Transfer loaves to a cooling rack. Enjoy as is with butter or sliced for Cuban pork sandwiches or for making Cuban toast. Any way it is delicious. Buen Appetito... Enjoy
• 8. The above picture is not mine. It is a picture of Cuban bread from the Cuban Bakery. They do not show the distinctive ridge across the top. I am planning baking some Cuban bread for the holidays. I will post a picture of my own home made bread then. The picture above is of good Cuban bread.

Steps:

• Manual Method: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir till the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface, oil your hands, and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it begins to become smooth and supple. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise till puffy though not necessarily doubled in bulk, about 1 hour, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. Gently fold the dough in upon itself and turn it upside-down after 30 minutes; this "turn" helps eliminate some of the excess carbon dioxide and redistributes the yeast's food, both imperative for optimum yeast growth.
• Mixer Method: Combine the ingredients as directed at left, using a flat beater paddle or beaters, then switch to the dough hook(s) and knead for 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise, with a turn, as directed above.
• Bread Machine Method: Place all of the ingredients into the pan of your machine, program the machine for Manual or Dough, and press Start. Examine the dough about 10 minutes before the end of the final kneading cycle, and adjust its consistency with additional water or flour as needed, to produce a smooth, supple dough. Allow the machine to complete its cycle.
• Divide the dough into six pieces, and shape each piece into a rough log. Let the logs rest for 15 minutes, covered, then shape each piece into a smooth batard shape (a log about 8 inches long, slightly tapered at each end). Place the loaves on a parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheet.
• Let the loaves rise, covered, for 1 hour. Brush or spray them with water, and slash one long lengthwise slit down the middle of each loaf. Preheat the oven to 375°F while the loaves are rising. Bake the bread for about 30 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and cool it on a rack. The loaves may be made one day in advance and stored at room temperature, or several weeks in advance and frozen.

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl or measuring cup. Whisk the starter until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Place 1 package active dry yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in a mixing bowl. Pour in 3/4 cup warm water. Let rest 15 minutes to ensure yeast is alive (bubbles will form on surface). Add lard and salt to bowl; add 1 cup of the flour. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and dough forms a sticky ball. Add the starter (reserving 1/4 cup if you want to keep the starter going, if desired. Otherwise add it all.). Sprinkle most of the rest of the flour on the dough, reserving 1/2 cup to be used if needed when kneading.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until dough comes together in a firm ball, adding additional flour only as needed. Dough should be soft and supple with just a bit of tackiness on the surface.
• Place dough in a bowl and coat surface with a little vegetable oil. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until at least doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with a little cornmeal.
• Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface. Lightly press the dough into a rectangle with your lightly floured hands. Divide dough in half and press and shape each half into a long 1/2-inch thick rectangle about 12 inches long. Roll up tightly starting at the long end to form a skinny loaf. Flatten a bit. Transfer each loaf to a prepared baking sheet and dust with a bit of flour. Cover with a light, dry towel and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cut a 1/4-inch deep slit down the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or razor. Mist loaves lightly with water.
• Place pans in pre-heated oven, one pan on lower rack, one on higher rack. After 10 minutes, switch pan positions. Continue to bake until loaves are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer loaves to cooling rack and let cool to room temperature before slicing.