Or maybe not...
I'd like to give a quick nod to Rosa Mexicano in Chevy Chase for having really the best fresh guac I can remember eating, as well as the pork belly and scallop tacos (nice happy hour, eh?). I don't know how they will make it in their new location, $8.00 for valet parking, and just a mediocre margarita, those might be the deal killers...
Also to Chef Dennis Friedman at Newton's Table in Bethesda for his truly interesting and delicious 'Snappertizer' ( hey don't blame me, that is what Dennis called it!). You need to try this crispy, crunchy red Snapper fillet. Yumm. While you are there, say hello to Gunnar behind the bar, order a "Greg-Tini", which is my take on the elderflower martini, but with the flavor profile tweaked to perfection by expert mixologist Gunnar. I have also recently been introduced to the Westlake cocktail here, a perfectly smoky and intense Bourbon based drink. Trust me. Thank me later...
Last shout out goes to Victor Albisu of BLT Steak, not only for fitting 6 us in during the height of the Saturday night dinner rush for a last minute change of plans, after we had a failed reservation at Fiola, but for all of the glorious food. Here is an example of what we ate before the appetizer course:
On to today's interesting recipe. I made some roast pork on the grill the other day and was trying to come up with something to do with the leftovers. What to make, what to make??? Oh, a Cuban sandwich has roast pork but is that too daunting? The authentic bread is totally unobtainable here in the DC burbs, AND I have no sandwich press. Hmmm, on to plan B, maybe a rillette terrine? Nope, not the right consistency or cooking method, etc. Ham salad? Nope....
I mentioned my delimma to Cyn, who immediately piped up with "I have a sandwich press (of course you did, Cyn), and did you know that I have eaten many a Medianoche sandwich when I lived in Florida? It's my favorite!" I should have known...
Ahhhh, but the bread.....
Potato roll? Nope. Challah? Nope? King's Hawaiian Round bread? OH YEAH!!! Sweet and eggy, pretty perfect.
So here we go I warmed up the meats just because they were chilled and right out of the fridge. Yes, I know, the pickles...
And on to the press we go. No butter on the bread, don't kill it with pressure...
Sorry I don't have a more glamorous picture of the finished product, my head was spinning from the heady aromas from this grilled bread, melted cheese and warm pork thing on my counter, I just had to eat it, and that I did. Every last morsel of it. Is it a truly authentic Medianoche? I can't really attest to that, but it was certainly close enough. Warm crunchy toasty bread, melty cheese that blends with the yellow mustard. Succulent earthy roast pork, salty cured ham, cool crunchy garlicky pickles...
A glorified grilled cheese you say? Well, yes it is. May I have another please...
2 - 3/4 inch thick slices of King's Hawaiian Round bread
Frenchies Mustard
4 slices Swiss cheese
3 Slices ham (I like the 'Danish style')
4 oz. sliced roast pork
pickles
Mustard, then cheese, then meats, then pickles in the middle. Grill on your sandwich press until done.
I'm going to suggest that it goes pretty well with a cold beverage, Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick make several excellent ones, as does Dogfish Head. Local is usually better, and in both cases here, it surely is....
Enjoy my friends.
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