Cuban sandwich

4 Vietnamese- or Italian-style

crisp white fluffy rolls

Soft butter, to your liking 8 thin slices of smoked ham 8 thin slices of Swiss cheese 2 dill pickles, thinly sliced

lengthways ½ orange, cut in half

1 white onion, thinly sliced 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon sea salt

FOR THE CARNITAS

600g fatty pork shoulder

meat, cut into 4cm dice 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

FOR THE CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE

4 canned chipotle chillies in adobo, finely chopped

1 cup (235g) mayonnaise 1 To make the carnitas, put all the ingredients into a wide, heavybased saucepan just big enough to hold the meat, then add enough water to cover and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1½ hours or until tender, regularly skimming off any foam from the surface. Remove from the heat and, when the pork is cool enough to handle, gently pull it into bite-sized pieces.

2 Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Spread the pork in a baking dish and roast, uncovered, in the oven for 20 minutes or until starting to brown and caramelise.

3 Meanwhile, for the chipotle mayonnaise, fold the chipotles through the mayonnaise.

4 When you’re ready to put the sandwiches together, heat a sandwich press to 200°C (400°F).

5 Cut the rolls in half and spread the bottom halves with butter. Divide the carnitas evenly between them and then layer with ham, cheese and pickles. Cover with the top halves and press down gently. Carefully transfer to the sandwich press: four should fit in a large press, two in a smaller one. Cook until the roll is crisp and brown and the cheese has started to melt, about 6 minutes or so. Open up the sandwiches and divide the chipotle mayo between them. Serve immediately.

Variations Use slices of sourdough bread for a chewier, more filling sandwich. I often make carnitas and serve it on a platter with a chipotle and tomato salsa, some shaved cabbage, guacamole and perhaps a dash of adobo sauce. Wrap in fresh warm tortillas to make your own tacos — great for when you have friends over to eat.