Shortcut Banh Mi with Pickled Carrots and Daikon
Authenticity is not the goal of this banh mi. Nor is coming up with a newfangled variation. This is a sandwich that, with quick work, maintains the porky-pickled-fiery essence of a classic banh mi with easy-to-find ingredients.
Ingredients
- 3/4cup shredded carrots
- 3/4cup thinly sliced Persian, Kirby or European cucumbers
- 1/2cup shredded daikon radish
- 2tablespoons unseasoned rice wine vinegar
- 2tablespoons sugar
- 1/4teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2cup mayonnaise
- 4tablespoons finely chopped scallions
- 2 to 3tablespoons sriracha or other chili sauce, to taste
- 1tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
- 4garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1pound ground pork
- 2tablespoons Asian fish sauce
- 1/2teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2teaspoon kosher salt
- 1teaspoon sugar
- 1/2cup chopped fresh basil
- Finely grated zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 6small hero rolls or 2 baguettes cut into thirds, split
- Fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced and seeded, for serving
- Mint sprigs, for serving
- Cilantro sprigs, for serving
Directions
To make the pickled vegetables: In a bowl, toss together the carrots, cucumbers, daikon, vinegar, sugar and salt and let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the pork. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon scallions and 1 to 2 tablespoons chili sauce, to taste. Cover tightly and set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons scallions and the garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add pork and cook, breaking up with a fork, until no longer pink, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon chili sauce and the fish sauce, pepper, salt and sugar. Remove from heat and stir in the basil, lime zest and lime juice. Let cool 5 minutes, then add mayonnaise mixture.
Fill bread with pork mixture. Press the jalapeño, mint and cilantro sprigs into the pork. Spoon some pickled vegetables onto the sandwiches and serve any extra alongside.
Nutrition
- Info
- Trans Fat: 0 gramsFat: 35 gramsCalories: 481Saturated Fat: 9 gramsUnsaturated Fat: 24 gramsSodium: 898 milligramsSugar: 8 gramsFiber: 3 gramsCarbohydrate: 26 gramsProtein: 16 grams