Thursday, February 26, 2015

Elena Ruz (Turkey Tea Sandwich) (Cuban)



A delicious tea sandwich from Cuban cuisine, this sliced bun combines cream cheese with strawberry preserves and a slice of turkey ham. After it gets composed, the final touch is for the sandwich to get fried in a but of butter, until golden and heated and delicious. You may find the combination of ham and preserves and cream cheese to be a bit unusual, but you'll be convinced as soon as you take the first bite. 
The sandwich is named after Elena Ruz, a beautiful society debutante who lived in the 1930s' Cuba. After attending an evening opera show, she used to stop by El Carmela (a famous restaurant in those days) and ask the waiter to fix her a custom sandwich made after her instructions. You guessed it: the sandwich was in time named after her and here it is. :)
Recipe source: Saveur (and background info here). 

Last year: Banana and chocolate chunk cake squares.
Two years ago: Brownies with mixed seeds and vanilla.
Threeo years ago: Cinnamon and brown sugar palmiers.
Four years ago: Diet muffins with cranberries, dark chocolate and spices and Risotto with caramelized onions, artichokes and bacon.




Ingredients (makes 1):

  • 1 Cuban roll or brioche bun
  • 2 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp. strawberry jam
  • 2 slices of turkey breast ham
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter

Slice the roll in half horizontally and spread it with cream cheese on both sides. Add jam on one half and the turkey ham on the other (pictured above). Close the sandwich again and cook it in the melted butter, pressing it down, until golden and heated through. 

Serve immediately. It's done, dig in! :)

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