Recipe(tried): Cuban Bread (Pan Cubano)

Hey Mickey,

Thanks for your adorable comments....they make me smile!

Cuban bread is a favorite for many types of sandwiches and a special treat for breakfast, when it is cut into long strips, buttered and toasted on the grill or in the oven. Cubans dip these crisp strips into cafe con leche or into hot chocolate.

As a child, I remembered my Mom continuously buttering and cutting the bread and toasting it for my sister and I. We just loved dipping it in hot chocolate and eating this delicious bread. As adults in Miami, after a late night out with friends, there was nothing better than stopping at a Cuban Cafeteria and asking for Cuban bread with cafe to dip in.

At out local favorite grocer, Publix, they make awesome Cuban sandwiches. But my favorite part, is they have concocted a sweet buttery sauce made of honey and melted butter kept in one of those squeeze-type bottles...they squeeze the honey butter syrup on both sides of the sandwich then hot press it, yummmmmm!!!

This recipe for Cuban bread, one of the best, comes from the late James Beard.

Enjoy Mickey!!

Pan Cubano (Cuban Bread)

1 package (1/4 oz.) yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/4 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
6-7 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1. Dissolve the yeast in water and add the salt and sugar, stirring thoroughly.

2. Add the flour, one cup at a time, beating in with a wooden spoon, or use the dough hook on an electric mixer on low speed. Add enough flour to make a fairly stiff dough.

3. When the dough is thoroughly mixed, shape it into a ball, place in a greased bowl, grease the top. Cover with a dry, clean towel and let stand in a warm place (80-85 degrees) until doubled in bulk.

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and shape into two long, French-style loaves or round Italian-style loaves. Arrange on a baking sheet heavily sprinkled with cornmeal and allow to reise 5 minutes.

5. Slash the tops of the loaves in 2 or 3 places with a knife or scissors. Brush the loaves with water and place them in a cold oven. Set the oven control at hot (400 F) and place a pan of boiling water on the bottom of the oven. Bake the loaves until they are crusty and done, about 40-45 minutes.