I am searching for a cheese used in Cuban sandwiches.  I was told the
name of the cheese sounds like "monghere", but have no clue how to
spell it and therefore can't find any info about it.  What is the
actual name of the cheese?

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Request for Question Clarification by markj-ga on 06 Nov 2003 10:01 PST

cluelesskarl --

This is one of those challenging, but often frustrating, questions
where we researchers have to make imaginative guesses based on
understandably imperfect information about the spelling and
pronunciation of a key word.  We also have to rely on you to help us
determine if we are right before we post an answer.

My best guess is "manchego" cheese, a sheep cheese of Spanish origin
that is a common ingredient in Cuban recipes.  Here is link to a menu
that offers a "Cuban pork sandwich" made with manchego cheese (about
halfway down the page):
Joy Restaurant: Dinner Menu
http://www.spikeandcharlies.com/joy.html

Do you think that this is what you are looking for?  If not, do you
have any more information about the cheese?  For example, did you hear
about it in connection with Cuban restaurants in the U.S. or as an
ingredient in traditional Cuban recipes?  Do you have any idea whether
it is a cow, goat or sheep cheese?

markj-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 06 Nov 2003 10:15 PST

Hi Cluelesskarl!

Could you be thinking of gruyere cheese which is a variety of Swiss
cheese? Gruyere sounds like ?monghere? and is used in the Chez Henri
Cuban sandwich.


Gruyere cheese, a variety of Swiss cheese with small holes, has a
firm, smooth texture and a relatively strong flavor.
http://www.cooking.com/advice/adgloss.asp?GlossType=ingr&Item=Gruyere+cheese


The Cuban sandwich at Chez Henri is made with gruyere cheese.

 ?The pressed Cuban sandwich features thick pieces of pork, thinly
sliced ham, diced cornichons (pickled gherkin cucumbers), and Gruyère
cheese grilled in buttery French bread. Each half requires two hands
to heft ? meaning tonight?s dinner can do double duty as tomorrow?s
lunch.?
http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/food_drink/noshing/documents/02649199.htm


Let me know if this is the cheese you have in mind.

Thanks,
Bobbie7

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 06 Nov 2003 10:17 PST

Extreme Chefs also use Gruyere cheeese for their Cuban sandwich.

Cubano 
Cuban sandwich of smoked ham, pork, gruyere cheese, dill pickle
slices, and mustard, hot pressed on Cuban bread
http://www.extremechefs.com/restaurants/default.asp

--Bobbie7

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Clarification of Question by cluelesskarl-ga on 06 Nov 2003 10:42 PST

My brother & his wife recently returned from a trip to Portugal.  I
believe that is where they had the cuban sandwich, but I am not
positive because they travel quite a bit.  They have absolutely raved
about it, saying it was the best cuban sandwich ever.  If it was in
Portugal, I'm sure the language barrier prevented them from
understanding the name of the cheese.  I'm trying to figure out what
it is so I can get some for them as a present.

Hi cluelesskarl,

Well, now you have my stomach growling and it sounds as though it will
settle for nothing less than a Cuban Sandwich!

If there is a specific local Cuban cheese used for Cuban Sandwiches, I
haven't been able to find it mentioned online, however, the cheese
most used in the States is Swiss Cheese.

SANDWICH CABANO:
"1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced
(Use a mild Swiss -- we like Baby Swiss -- it has only a few holes.)"
http://icuban.com/food/cuban_sandwich.html

Forum: Cuban Sandwich:
"local cheese, melted, it was cow's milk but nothing I've ever had here in the US"
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1074

Cuban Sandwich (Sandwich Cubano) Recipe:
http://www.caribbeanag.org/recipes/cuba/sandwich.htm

Cuban Bread (Pan Cubano) Recipe:
http://www.caribbeanag.org/recipes/cuba/bread.htm

Media-noche (Midnight Snack):
"Reduced fat or fat-free swiss cheese  (Note #3)
Note #3: Any mild cheese with the consistency of Swiss can be
substituted, for instance, mozzarella, Gouda or Muenster."
http://www.sneakykitchen.com/Recipes/media-noche.htm#cheese

The Classic Cuban:
http://cooksimple.com/recipes.php?goto=recipes&recipe=10

Grilled Cuban Sandwich:
http://www.grilling-recipes.com/pork/r648.htm

Cuban Sandwich:
http://www.islandflave.com/recipes/cubansandwich.shtml

Cuban Sandwich:
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/worldcaribbean/caribbean19.html

Since I haven't answered your question, "What is the actual name of
the cheese?", I'll just post this as a comment in the hopes another
researcher can find the name of the cheese.

Regards,
hummer

I vote for manchego, as mentioned above by markj-ga. Manchego
definitely has a connection to Cuban cuisine:

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=manchego+cuban

Well, I can with confidence say that Cuban Sandwiches both here in the
US and in Cuba use Swiss Cheese.  Some places may try to be different
and use Gruyere, but Swiss is the authentic cheese used.  Trust me, I
am Cuban and have eaten hundreds of Cuban Sandwiches in my life.