~~by Jen
You know how you have these “food memories” that get stuck in your head and you start obsessing about them? Like a favorite casserole your Momma made when you were a child, or your Aunt’s practically famous chicken salad? I was having one of those moments last week, and it got me thinking.
Let me explain…My paternal grandparents spent many years living in Tampa, FL, and as a result, my Granny Sarah’s favorite sandwich was the Cuban Sandwich. I can still remember her making those once in awhile when we were kids. It was a rare and tasty treat that we all looked forward to.
For the uninitiated, a Cuban sandwich consists of a hoagie roll layered with ham, swiss cheese, dill pickle slices, and mustard that gets pressed until the sandwich is flattened and the cheese gets all melty and nominous. A good friend of mine also happens to be Cuban, and she makes finger sandwiches out of what she calls “Cuban Sandwich Spread” for every party and cookout we have. Everyone goes nuts for them. So I was thinking to myself, “Self? How could I get the TASTE of a Cuban sandwich into a more WLS and pouch-friendly format?”
I played around with Liz’s original recipe, and voila–the following spread was born! I actually made finger sandwiches from this for a bridal shower at work last week and they went over really well. The pic shows the spread on high fiber crackers, topped with squares of Swiss cheese and a dollop of mustard. This is a neat way to serve it at a party or other gathering, particularly if there are fellow Pouchers in the crowd who can’t handle much bread. So go ahead, crank up the Ricky Martin, and get busy making your own taste of Havana.
Jen’s Cuban Sandwich Spread
Ingredients:
1 can Lite Spam (yes, Spam! it grinds up more smoothly than regular deli ham. If you are categorically opposed to Spam, by all means use deli ham instead.)
4 heaping tbsp Dill Pickle relish (or chop up whole dill pickles)
2-3 tsp of dill pickle juice (from the relish or pickle jar)
6 oz (3/4 of a block) of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup 0% Greek Yogurt
1-2 tbsp mayonnaise
3-4 tbsp yellow prepared mustard (or Dijon works, too)
Directions:
Cut the Spam into blocks and put it in the bowl of your
food processor
,
then pulse until it is well chopped.
Now add in the other ingredients and process until it becomes a smooth spread. You don’t need to add ANY salt AT ALL.
Taste it and adjust the mustard/Greek yogurt/mayo ratio to your taste. Store it in a covered container in the fridge, or dive right in and get your Cuban on.
You know you wanna!
Bariatric Foodie Play with your food
Jen’s Cuban Sandwich Spread
I can't wait to make this but a friendly godmanchester begin with pork then ham, swiss & a pickle…topped a mojo (onions sauteed in olove oil, garlic & lemon) my unless are cuban and it's are favorite meal. But yours sounds amazing and something I can eat now soooo thanks so much!