During this time my father was in a labor camp, for the crime of wanting to leave the country. Alone, and with few provisions, as my mother struggled to care for us, she was struck with inspiration. One day she went out to the back patio to do the wash and saw a cute little frog sitting by the door to the kitchen. My mother has always liked frogs, and this little frog by the kitchen door gave her an idea...
My father and I were very close, but I did not always get along with my mother, so even though she was a marvelous cook, I had never been interested in learning her cooking secrets. However, after my father’s death, I witnessed my mother’s severe deterioration and overwhelming sadness. Looking for a way to engage her, I had the idea to ask her to teach me how to cook like her...
A great many of the delicious foods that came out of Mamina’s kitchen began with a sofrito. It is the seasoning base for many Cuban dishes. Sofrito is sauted onions, peppers, garlic and sometimes tomatoes....
My mother would approve of this post. She loved children and joyfully helped me and my sister Nina raise our respective children with lots of loving and good food. I think it is also a cultural Cuban thing; children are treasured and spoiled (in good ways) by their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles!
A special sandwich press is needed to make this grilled sandwich. The press is made up of two round saucers that close over the bread and it has long handles. You can find one at most Cuban markets or on line. Click here to see one on Amazon.
A regular sandwich press would not shape it into a flying saucer, or toast the sides shut. My children loved to make these fun grilled sandwiches. Now I make them with my grandchildren. Be careful not to touch the hot metal parts of the press.
INGREDIENTS:
Ham slices
Cheese slices
Butter (or non stick spray)
Hamburger buns or 2 pieces of bread (the press will cut these into the right shape)
Spread butter on the outside of the bread pieces, or grease the round flying saucer part of the “contraption” with non stick spray or butter. Put ham and cheese slices between the two pieces of bread, a little or a lot, to taste. Put the sandwich in the press and cook over a hot burner or gas grill, one side then the other. The sandwich is done when the cheese is melted. This takes 3-5 minutes per side.
SWEET DISCO VOLADOR
Guava
Cream Cheese
Bread
For a sweet and very Cuban version of this sandwich, use a couple of slices of guava paste and about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese as the filling. If you don’t have guava paste, you could use a tablespoon or two of jam.
Here is a video clip, if you'd like to see how to make these fun sandwiches!
