Basic Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. In a large mixing bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Pour milk into flour mixture while stirring with a fork. Mix in milk until dough is soft, moist and pulls away from the side of the bowl.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and toss with flour until no longer sticky. Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick sheet and cut with a floured biscuit or cookie cutter. Press together unused dough and repeat rolling and cutting procedure.
5. Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheets and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Pressed Cuban Sandwiches & Cuban Cowboy Caviar

Pressed Cuban Sandwiches:

1 loaf of Cuban bread (Italian or French works, too) cut into 6" lengths and sliced open
1 cup of mustard-nnaise (a mix of 2/3 mustard and 1/3 mayo)
6 long, thick slices of swiss cheese
4 lengthwise slices of dill pickle
1/2 pound of serrano ham (or other salty ham such as Virginia)
1/2 pound of pork (can be deli pork or from a leftover pork roast/loin)
olive oil to brush on bread

Cuban Cowboy Caviar:
1 can of black beans - drained and rinsed
1 can of corn - drained
1 small red pepper - diced
1 avocado - skinned and diced
2 scallions (incl green parts) - chopped

Dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 T olive oil
1 t lemon juice
1 clove of garlic - minced
1 t sugar

How-to

Pressed Cuban Sandwiches:
Preheat the grill to high.

Spread mustard-nnaise on both side of open bread. Add 3 pieces of cheese, 2 pieces of dill pickle, half of the ham and half of the pork. Close the bread and generously brush one side with olive oil. Repeat for second sandwich.

Turn grill to medium, place the oil side of the sandwich down, and using your bbq spatula press the sandwiches firmly down on the grill. Close the grill top and allow to cook for 30 seconds to a minute then press again. When grill side of bread is brown and crisp coat the top side of the sandwiches with olive oil and flip - repeating the pressing, grilling process until the second side is also brown and crisp.

Cut in half and enjoy!

Cuban Cowboy Caviar:
Combine all salad ingredients in bowl. Whisk dressing ingredients in a small separate bowl and pour over beans/veggies. Stir well to combine and serve immediately. It's that easy...yum!!