Latin American music is a favorite of mine. I thought that I should channel my love for Latin American music into my love of food. This week I decided to get a little cultural. I decided to make Cuban food, and now it is one of my obsessions. I made a Cuban meal of a Classic Cuban Sandwich and a Virgin Mojito. The Cuban sandwich is a classic food in Cuban Culture. It is extremely filling and delicious. Mojitos are common in Havana as well. A Mojito is a popular Cuban drink; its taste is perfect to wash down the delicious Cuban sandwich. It is cool, refreshing, and has a flavor out of this world. So if you have any extra time this weekend with the closing of the term, treat yourself with this delicious and cultural meal.

The Cuban Sandwich: Whats in it?

4 hoagie rolls (Italian bread loaf), 2 tablespoons yellow mustard 1/4 pound baked ham, thinly sliced 1/4 pound roast pork, thinly sliced 1/4 pound provolone cheese, thinly sliced 10 thin dill pickle slices, approximately 2 whole pickles 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature How to make it: Slice bread horizontally in half. Put the bread out, so the slices face up. Spread mustard on each slice. Put ingredients evenly on each slices of bread. If you prefer the Cuban way: Ham first, then pork, then cheese, and finally, dill pickles. Put filled slices together like a regular sandwich. Heat your sandwich in a Panini maker or on a greased frying pan. Butter each side of the sandwich. Press down on sandwiches with a spatula or the panini maker for ten minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Eat warm.

The mojito: Whats in it:

10 fresh mint leaves 1/2 lime, cut into 4 slices 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 cup ice cubes 1/2 cup club soda How to make it: Put mint leaves and 1  of of the lime wedges into a glass. Use a spoon to crush the mint and lime to get flavor. Put 2 more lime wedges and sugar in as well. Crush again with spoon. Fill the glass slightly less than to the top with ice. Fill the glass with the club soda. Stir the mixture up and add more sugar if you want to. Add a slice of lime to garnish.  Pic Citing: cuban sandwich Wikipedia.com(pic)     Food Network   (recipe)    Mojito  allrecipies.com/Stephanie Salo(mojito) Stephanie Salo photography (pic/recipe)