Vietnamese Beef Sandwich Recipes

VIETNAMESE 'SHAKING BEEF' SANDWICH WITH A FIRE-ROASTED JALAPENO AIOLI, WATERCRESS AND CRISPY FRIED ONION STRINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. To the meat, add half of the granulated sugar, half of the brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and 1 tablespoon of oil. Next, combine the remaining sugars, vinegar, wine, soy sauce and fish sauce in a bowl. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed.
• Divide the meat into 2 portions. Place 2 large skillets over the highest heat possible and add 1 tablespoon of oil to each skillet. When the oil begins to smoke, add 1/2 the meat in 1 layer to each pan. Let sit until a brown crust forms, and turn to brown the other side. Browning should take approximately 2 to 3 minutes total. Set aside, drain 1 skillet of excess oil and lightly wipe down with a paper towel.
• In that skillet, add 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat. When the oil begins to smoke add the onion, bell pepper and jalapeno with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook stirring often until lightly caramelized, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and green onions and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. While the onion mixture is finishing cooking, place the 4 baguettes in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly toasted and warmed through. Add the beef and vinegar mixture to the onions, and stir to combine. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if desired. Keep warm while you assemble the sandwich.
• To assemble each sandwich, spread 1 scant tablespoon of aioli on both sides of the baguette. On the bottom half, add a small handful of watercress, then 1/4 of the meat mixture, top with a small handful of cilantro, some julienne bell pepper, a few slices of cucumber, and a few slices of jalapeno. Enjoy and serve along with 2 lime wedges (which are meant to be squeezed over the meat right before eating), Crispy Fried Onion Strings, and additional aioli in a ramekin for dipping - and enjoy!
• Heat a skillet over high heat. Add the jalapeno and garlic to the dry skillet. Cook until blackened and charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Place in a plastic bag, seal and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Then remove the stems, most of the skin, and all of the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno, and the outer layer of the garlic. Add jalapenos and garlic to a food processor or blender with remaining ingredients. Blend, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper and cayenne if desired and enjoy!;
• (Makes enough for 4 sandwiches, plus extra for dipping Onion Strings) .
• Fill a large heavy pot 1/3 full with oil and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a plate with paper towels. Place the flour in a large paper bag or bowl. Add the onions, toss well to coat and shake off the excess. Fry the onions until golden brown (you may need to do this in 2 batches if your pot isnt big enough), about 4 minutes. Remove to the paper towel lined plate, and immediately sprinkle generously with salt and a touch of pepper. Place a large mound on each plate and top with chopped chives. Serve with a ramekin of the aioli and enjoy!

VIETNAMESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven's broiler. Place the pork chops on a broiling pan and set under the broiler. Cook for about 5 minutes, turning once, or until browned on each side.
• Open the French rolls and spread mayonnaise on the insides. Place one of the cooked pork chops into each roll. Spread chile sauce directly on the meat. Sprinkle with a little lime juice and top with slices of onion, cucumber, cilantro, salt and pepper. Finish with another quick drizzle of lime juice.

VIETNAMESE BEEF SANDWICH

Steps:

• Place beef on baguette and warm in microwave, if desired.
• On each side of bread, pour enough nuoc cham to moisten bread fairly well.
• On top of beef, spread sambal oelek (to the amount desired).
• Top with lettuce and a generous sprinkling of grated carrot.
• Pour chilli sauce on top of lettuce, top with upper half of bread; serve.

VIETNAMESE BANH MI SANDWICH WITH GRILLED BEEF

Steps:

• Whisk together the garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, pepper, and 1 tbsp peanut oil in a large bowl. Add the sliced beef and mix well to coat each slice. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator).
• Heat a grill pan (or electric grill appliance) until it is hot. Brush 1 tbsp oil on the pan. Add the beef slices in batches, laying them flat in a single layer, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Grill for 30 seconds to 1 minute and flip each slice, repeating on the other side (unless you are using the double sided grill appliance, and then you would not flip and repeat). Remove the beef slices when they are just slightly charred, but not overcooked. Drain off and reserve the juices. Repeat, brushing grill pan with additional oil when necessary, until all the beef slices are grilled.
• When the beef is grilled, brush the pan with more oil and add the shallots (or onions). Grill them until just softened. Reserve any remaining juices along with the carmelized bits.
• Assemble the sandwiches by slicing the French baguettes in half lengthwise, brushing each half with some of the pan juices; add 2 lettuce leaves, 1/4 of the grilled beef, 1/4 cup of the carrot daikon pickle, grilled shallots and a sprig of fresh cilantro.

VIETNAMESE STEAK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together garlic, sugar, red-pepper flakes, vinegar, and water.
• In another bowl, toss together carrots, scallions,and cilantro leaves. Toss with half the vinegar mixture.
• Split and lightly toast hero rolls; dividing evenly, layer with carrot mixture and sliced flank steak. Drizzle with remaining vinegar mixture, if desired.

BANH MI

Steps:

• Place rice vinegar, water, and sugar into a saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 minute. Allow the mixture to cool.
• Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the carrot, radish, and onion in a bowl, and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes. Drain off the excess vinegar mixture after the vegetables have marinated.
• While the vegetables are marinating, preheat the oven's broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Lightly oil a slotted broiler pan.
• Sprinkle the chicken breast with garlic salt and pepper, and broil on slotted broiler pan, turning once, until the center of the chicken breast is no longer pink and the surface has browned, about 6 minutes per side. Remove the broiled chicken, and slice into bite-size pieces.
• Slice the baguette in half the long way, and pull the center of the bread out of the baguette halves, leaving a cavity for the filling. Place the baguette halves under the broiler to lightly toast, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To assemble the bahn mi sandwich, spread each half of the toasted baguette with mayonnaise, and fill the cavity of the bottom half of the bread with broiled chicken, cucumber slices, pickled carrot, onion, and radish, cilantro leaves, and jalapeno pepper. Squeeze a wedge of lime over the filling, and top with the other half of the baguette.