Cuban Barbecue - Possibly the First American Barbecue Style

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Tradition Cuban Food Made Easy

In Cuba, chicken and pork have always been available. Beans, rice, and bananas/plantains, as well as spices like cumin, cayenne, and garlic are plentiful and used often. And citrus like limes and oranges are the acidic choices for meat marinades.

There is much evidence that barbecue was already popular in Cuba, and brought over to the east coast of the United States from, probably in the Carolinas. This may have been the start of the "Carolina pulled pork" tradition.

Often, a pork roast in Cuba is barbecued on a pit and rotisserie. Here's a pork roast recipe where the pork is then used to make famous and delicious Cuban Sandwiches.

This recipe can be made using your grill with a rotisserie, or slow-cooked over indirect heat on your barbecue pit. The indirect heat method follows.

INGREDIENTS:
2-3 pounds pork loin roast
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons cup onion
2 tablespoons dry oregano
2 tablespoons minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the orange juice, lime juice, sugar, onion powder, olive oil, garlic, and oregano. Mix well and pour over pork loin roast. Turn to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours. Remove the roast from refrigerator and get your grill hot and ready to cook.

Season with salt and pepper and place roast on hot grill directly over medium heat. Grill for about 10 minutes until browned. Move to a cooler spot on the grill for indirect grilling and cook for an additional 45 minutes. Remove from grill and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Cut into slices against the grain of the meat.

For Cuban Barbecue Sandwiches:

8 french rolls
8 tablespoons butter
8 sliced swiss cheese
8 slices deli ham
24 pickle slices

Cut open rolls, butter and toast on the grill for about 1 minute. Carve against the grain as thinly as possible. Assemble with other sandwich ingredients. Serve while the pork is still warm.

Marinaded Steak - Cuban Barbecue Style

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons favorite steak seasoning mix
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 lbs sirloin steaks, trimmed

DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients besides the steak in a large zipper bag or glass dish.Add and turn steak to coat well.Refridgerate for at least 30 minutes. Remove steak from marinade, reserving remaining marinade.

Grill over medium-high heat 6-8 minutes per side or until desired doneness, brushing with reserved marinade halfway through.

More Cuban barbecue recipes will be added, including grilled chicken, another Cuban favorite. Also, some Cuban side dishes will be included in the near future for a complete Cuban style meal.

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