The Bahn Mi

When done properly, a balanced bahn mi sandwich will satisfy any craving. It's sweet, salty, tangy and spicy all at once. With the herbs and sauces that go with it it packs a lot of flavor. This sandwich is a go to for leftover chicken pork or tofu. I lightly adapted this from another wonderful blog post found here.  It seems like a long list of things to do, but it really comes together quickly. 

This list will make one sandwich. 

Pickled veg: 

• 1/2 cucumber, seeded and julienned
• 1 medium carrot, julienned

Brine: 

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 

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Stir fry sauce: 

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp sweet chili sauce

Bahn mi sauce: 

• 1/4 c mayo
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sweet chili sauce
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp sriracha

Rest of it:

• Leftover pork, chicken, or tofu
• Bun- I used a french roll 
• Sliced jalapenos
• Cilantro or basil or both

To make: 

1. Cut up the cucumber and carrot and place in a small bowl. Mix the brine ingredients in a mason jar and shake until sugar and salt dissolve. Cover the veggies with the brine and allow to sit while you assemble the rest of the sandwich. 
2. Mix the stir fry sauce together in a small bowl. Mix the Bahn mi sauce together in a separate bowl. 
3. Heat a small skillet with a bit of butter or oil to toast you bun. Remove to a plate when it's done.
4. In the same small skillet over medium heat and add your protein (pork used here) and the stir fry sauce and heat through, tossing to coat with the sauce. 
5. Layer the sandwich with your protein, the Bahn mi sauce, pickled vegetables and garnishes of your choosing. Don't skimp on the sauce! 

Notes: If you're in a pickle for time (see what I did there) you can thinly slice the cucumber and carrot with a vegetable peeler instead of juienning them as a time saver. Cutting up the vegetables and maybe finding everything in the fridge are the longest parts of this recipe. 

Also, there are so many ways to adapt this for all sorts of diet restrictions. Check them out here.