Challenge: Part 6 of 6 in Lunch for a week under £10

The Cuban Sandwich

There’s a special reason why I’m such a fan of the Cuban Sandwich. Years ago, when I was studying in Cambridge, Boston, Chez Henri, a French bistro with a Cuban twist was my local - my favourite bar/restaurant ever. I used to go there in the evenings to meet people in my neighborhood - so often that my bike is even pictured outside the bar on a photo on their website.. But apart from being a calm, safe haven for us locals it was also the best, most romantic place in Boston to go for a date - the reason for this being the Cuban Sandwich. Priced at only $8 (in my time!), this massive feast served with delicious plantain fries (banana chips) in romantic surroundings was ideal for sharing.

I have to admit I did not expect to, but I have learned so much  from this £10 lunch week challenge - not only how to save money! Who knew it would be so much fun to bring food to work? I picked the Cuban sandwich for my last day not only because it’s utterly delicious - but it’s also a bit of an attention grabber… carry this baby on a plate through the office and heads will turn!

Now that I’m learning how to plan my meals (I really am!) -  I brought some ham and cheese the office from what was left over making yesterday’s lunch, and popped into to Marks & Spencer to get the other ingredients:

Ham

Pork

Cheese (Swiss preferably)

Cuban bread with a hard crust

Mustard

Stonebaked bread

The bread is important - it must have a hard, crunchy crust or you won’t be eating like a Cuban! Obviously, I wasn’t going to find any real Cuban bread in M&S- but hey, good bread is good bread regardless of the name, right? I considered a ciabatta bread but it just didn’t have the crunchy feel so I ended up with the Stonebake Pave. It’s quite wide so I sliced it in half, and then in half again and covered all bases with mustard, ham, pork and cheese:

All your base are belong to me

Adding pork and ham

Then add cheese and voila! The Cuban Sandwich

Simple! But wait. There’s something missing. The sandwich must be grilled. But there’s no grill in the office kitchen. Just a microwave. I was gutted.

C’est la vie. Never mind, made with love but lacking the enticing smell of melted cheese over pork and ham with mustard notes, my Cuban sandwich still made quite a buzz in the office.

Cost for 2 Cuban Sandwiches (shared with an office mate)

Ham - £1 (half of the package from yesterday’s lunch)

Pork - £2.29

Cheese - £0.90 (half of the cheese I got for yesterday’s lunch)

Bread £1.49

Mustard £0.30  (1/3 of a jar)

Total cost per Sandwich: £2.99

That’s the end of my £10 Lunch week challenge. Now it’s your turn. Have a great weekend everybody!

Spent today: £2.99

Spent so far: £8.84

Budget left: £1.16