Banh Mi

A crispy Vietnamese baguette stuffed with savory marinated pork, tangy pickled vegetables, creamy pate, fresh cilantro, and spicy jalapenos. East meets West in perfect sandwich harmony.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless pork shoulder or pork loin, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemongrass, minced (or 1 tsp lemongrass paste)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large daikon radish (about 6 inches), julienned
• 2 medium carrots, julienned
• ½ cup rice vinegar
• ½ cup warm water
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 Vietnamese or French baguette rolls (about 8 inches each)
• 4 tbsp pate (chicken liver pate)
• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 English cucumber, sliced lengthwise
• 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
• ½ cup fresh cilantro sprigs

Method

1. Combine the pork with fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, lemongrass, and oil. Marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to overnight).
2. Make the quick pickles: dissolve sugar and salt in warm water and rice vinegar. Add the julienned daikon and carrot. Let sit for at least 20 minutes (they will become more flavorful over time). Drain before using.
3. Cook the pork in a hot skillet or grill pan over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
4. Split the baguette rolls lengthwise (not all the way through) and lightly toast in the oven at 375F for 3-4 minutes until the exterior is crispy but the interior stays soft.
5. Spread pate on one side of the bread and mayonnaise on the other. Layer in the grilled pork, drained pickled vegetables, cucumber slices, jalapeno slices, and cilantro sprigs.
6. Press the sandwich gently closed and serve immediately.

Chef's note: The baguette should have a thin, shattering crust and a light, airy crumb -- not dense like European sourdough. Vietnamese bakeries make the best ones, but French baguette rolls work well. Pate is traditional and adds a rich, savory element. The pickled vegetables can be made up to a week ahead.

Nutrition per serving

More Vietnamese recipes

• Pho
• Fresh Spring Rolls
• Vietnamese Coffee