Bahn Mi (Fancy Pants Version)

Ingredients

Marinade (will make extra):

2 lemongrass stalks

¼ cup vegetable oil

2 yellow or white onions chopped

2 shallots, chopped

¼ cup fresh peeled chopped ginger

Up to ¼ cup of chile paste to taste

1 can coconut soda

¼ cup fish sauce

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup lime juice

¾ cup brown sugar

¼ cup sesame oil

1 pear sliced

1 mango cubed

Salt and pepper to taste

Sandwich:

Satay marinade (scaled to quantity of protein)

Protein (chicken thighs, flank steak, most cuts of pork, tofu)

1 kiwi peeled and chopped

½ cup mayo

1 tbsp sriracha

1 tbsp ponzu

½ tsp chile oil

Baguette

Butter lettuce

Pickled carrots and daikon

Cilantro

Salt

Pepper

Directions

1. Finely slice lemongrass bulbs, then separate the tougher stalk from the bulb. Crush the stalks to let the aroma release. Heat oil in a pot and add lemongrass through chili paste. Sauté until fragrant, then add coconut soda through brown sugar. Reduce heat to low and add remaining ingredients. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temp.

2. Place kiwi and protein in Ziploc bag with marinade for two hours. Make aioli by mixing mayo with chili oil set aside. Cook protein as desired, but grill preferred. Protein should be tender and juicy.

3. Sandwich order: Sliced baguette, aïoli, butter, lettuce, protein, pickled veg, cilantro, salt and pepper