Chef John's Cuban Sandwich

Step 1
Gather all ingredients.

Step 2
Mix mayonnaise, mustard, and cayenne together in a bowl to make sauce.

Step 3
Trim off ends of bread. Cut loaf in half and evenly split bread to make tops and bottoms of two sandwiches.

Step 4
Spread each half on both sides generously with mayo-mustard sauce.

Step 5
Divide sandwich ingredients between the two bottom halves in this order: 2 slices Swiss cheese, 3 slices ham, hot cooked pork, pickle slices, and 2 more slices Swiss cheese. Place tops on sandwiches.

Step 6
Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and press down with a heavy weight, such as another skillet or foil-wrapped bricks. Toast sandwiches until bread is crisp and filling is heated through, 3 or 4 minutes per side.

Step 7
Serve hot and enjoy!