Recipe: Cubano Sandwich with Fried Pickles and Spicy Aioli
Description: Living in Miami, one sandwich you are always sure to find is the Cuban sandwich!  As a little girl, my grandmother always had one ready for me when I would come home from school.  While my grandmother made a traditional Cuban sandwich, I added my own twist by frying the sweet pickles and smearing a spicy red pepper aioli.  For me, it is one of my favorite comfort foods!
Ingredients: [{"text": "2/3 cup(s) mayonnaise"}, {"text": "2 tablespoon(s) sour cream"}, {"text": "1/2 cup(s) thinly sliced green onions"}, {"text": "1/2 cup(s) diced fire-roasted sweet red peppers"}, {"text": "1/4 cup(s) diced peperonici"}, {"text": "1/2 teaspoon(s) lime zest"}, {"text": "2 tablespoon(s) finely chopped cilantro"}, {"text": "1/2 cup(s) self-rising corn meal"}, {"text": "1 teaspoon(s) sugar"}, {"text": "3/4 teaspoon(s) smoked paprika"}, {"text": "1/4 cup(s) milk"}, {"text": "16 - sweet pickle chips, patted dry"}, {"text": "- vegetable oil, for frying pickles"}, {"text": "4 - (about 5-6 inches) crusty white bread pieces, split"}, {"text": "2 tablespoon(s) butter"}, {"text": "2 cup(s) arugula"}, {"text": "4 - slices swiss cheese"}, {"text": "1/4 pound(s) roasted pork, thinly sliced"}, {"text": "4 - slices deli sweet ham"}, {"text": "4 - slices smoked gouda cheese or any other white smoky cheese"}]
Instructions: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions, red pepper, peperoncini, lime zest, and cilantro.   Cover; set aside.
In a medium, deep skillet, pour vegetable oil to cover bottom and about ½ inch up the sides.  Heat oil over medium high heat.   In a medium bowl, combine the corn meal, sugar, smoked paprika, and buttermilk.  Dip pickles in batter, allowing excess batter to drip off.  When oil is hot, drop the pickles in oil; fry until light golden brown.  Transfer to a paper-lined plate.  Do not cover.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat.  Place outside of bread slices face down on skillet. Toast, pressing down gently with a spatula to flatten slightly, about 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted.
To assemble sandwich, spread aioli on cut-side of bottom buns.  Top each with arugula, 1 Swiss cheese slice, roast pork (dividing equally among sandwiches), 1 ham slice, and 1 Smoked Gouda cheese slice.  Top each with 4 fried pickles.  Close with top buns.  Serve immediately.
