Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi

Name: Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: For the pickles: 1 large carrot, julienned; 1 cup julienned daikon radish; 1/2 cup rice vinegar; 1/2 cup warm water; 2 tbsp sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; For the pork: 1 lb pork shoulder or tenderloin, very thinly sliced; 2 tbsp minced lemongrass; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oil; For the sandwiches: 4 short, light Vietnamese-style baguettes; 1/3 cup mayonnaise mixed with 1 tbsp sriracha; 1 cucumber, cut in long spears; 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced; a large handful of cilantro sprigs

A crackly baguette filled with caramelized lemongrass pork, quick-pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeño and spicy mayo.

Prep25 min

Cook10 min

Total35 min

Serves4

What you'll need

12-inch cast-iron skilletFor searing and oven finishes

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8-inch chef's knifeFor all the chopping

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Mixing bowl setFor mixing and marinating

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Ingredients

For the pickles: 1 large carrot, julienned

1 cup julienned daikon radish

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup warm water

2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

For the pork: 1 lb pork shoulder or tenderloin, very thinly sliced

2 tbsp minced lemongrass

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp oil

For the sandwiches: 4 short, light Vietnamese-style baguettes

1/3 cup mayonnaise mixed with 1 tbsp sriracha

1 cucumber, cut in long spears

1 jalapeño, thinly sliced

a large handful of cilantro sprigs

Steps

Mix the vinegar, water, sugar and salt until dissolved and add the carrot and daikon. Let stand at least 20 minutes.

Toss the pork with the lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, brown sugar and soy sauce and leave 15 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat and cook the pork in one layer, turning, until caramelized and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes.

Split the baguettes and warm them in a 375°F oven for 4 minutes, until the crust crackles.

Spread with sriracha mayo and fill with pork, drained pickles, cucumber, jalapeño and cilantro. Serve right away.

TipPick airy, thin-crusted rolls; dense baguettes overpower the filling.