Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Emeril at the Grill - Bánh Mi

Ok, Emeril actually calls this a Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Po'Boy & we call it a Bánh Mi, well, because its shorter to say & he does say that this is his version on the Vietnamese sandwich.
Bahn Mi
Matt has been telling me for years about the amazing bánh mi he would get at Dakao in San Jose, CA but I had never had one. When he bookmarked this recipe in Emeril at the Grill I decided to make it right away so I could see what he kept talking about. It was so delicious, crunchy, spicy and fresh. I think it's my favorite thing we've made from the book so far.

The marinated pork is so flavorful & juicy we kept snacking on it even before it went on the sandwich. The original recipe called for a pork tenderloin but for two of us I just used two boneless pork chops which was the perfect amount.
#116 - Pickled Carrots & Radishes
The pickled carrots & radish are a huge part of the flavor & crunch of the final sandwich. I liked them so much I had the leftovers as snacks with lunch & have made another batch since. The longer they sit the more heat from the red pepper they get. The recipe called for a daikon radish but the ones at the store were as big as my head so I just used little red ones.

Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Po'Boys
(adapted for serving size & the above mentioned ingredients from Emeril at the Grill)

Grilled Pork

1 green onion, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded & minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 T sugar
pinch of pepper
1 T Vietnamese fish sauce
3/4 T lime juice
2 boneless pork chops
vegetable oil

In a resealable bag mix the onion, jalapeño, garlic, sugar, pepper, fish sauce & lime juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the pork & seal removing as much air as possible. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours up to overnight, turning occasionally. Remove the pork from the bag & let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Pat it dry & brush with vegetable oil. Cook on a medium-high grill until desired doneness. Let rest & slice into 1/4-inch slices.

Pickled Carrots & Radishes

1/2 c rice vinegar
1 1/2 T sugar
1/8 t crushed red pepper
1/4 t salt
1 carrot, thinnly sliced on the diagonal
1/2 c thinly sliced radishes

In a small saucepan bring the vinegar, sugar, red pepper & salt to a boil. Stir until the sugar & salt are dissolved. Put in a jar or plastic container. Add the carrot & radishes & stir to combine. Refrigerate covered for at least 30 minutes. They get stronger the longer they sit.

Makes about 1 cup

Instead of putting jalapeño slices on the sandwiches Matt made up a Jalapeño Mayonnaise. This mayo had a wonderful flavor with all the other sandwich topping & a beautiful green color.

Jalapeño Mayo

1 jalapeno, seeded
1 green onion
1 clove garlic
1/3 c mayo

Put jalapeno, green onion & garlic into a small food processor & chop. Add the mayo & process until smooth.

Assembly

2 small baguettes (our we're about 8" - 9")
sliced & seeded cucumber
fresh cilantro

Cut the baguette in half lengthwise. Spread on some mayonnaise.. Layer with pork, pickled carrots & radishes, cucumber & cilantro.

Makes 2 sandwiches

We served this with a salad of cold rice noodles with lettuce & herbs & a fish dressing.
IMG_3093
I have to say we really have enjoyed everything we've cook from this book so far & we really look forward to trying more throughout the rest of the summer.

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© 2007-2009 Kathy Lewinski

10 comments:

  1. Zach and I have gotten Banh Mi out but I never even thought that I might be able to make it at home. I'm bookmarking this one to try out-

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  2. Looks delicious and I love those pickled veggies.

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  3. I love how you incorporate great ethnic foods AND homestyle comfort favorites on your blog. :)

    I've never had this sandwich, but it looks and sounds great. I would especially like the jalapeno mayo. Those pickled veggies sound great too!

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  4. I miss Emeril in his prime.

    Quick pickles are an awesome thing. I do them quite often with cucumbers, radishes, carrots, and other vegetation to get some cool summer relief and more flavor into the veggie.

    I like the jalapeno mayo better than slices of jalapeno

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  5. Next time try mayo on one side of the baguette and a schmear of pâté on the other. That's how I ordered my bânh mi back when I could get them. I think the extra textural dimension and the contrast in flavors between the two types of meat make it a really nice addition.

    I'm just about convinced that it's not too much trouble to make them at home. I just need to make the time.

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  6. Oh man I need to make this. It looks fabulous. You know I generally dont like Emrill because he always calls for ingredients that I dont have or I find him a little foo foo. But this looks like a keeper.

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  7. i keep reading about banh mi, but i've never had my own. i must say, your depicition of it is stellar. i'm not sure i've ever seen a finer sandwich!

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  8. Haha did he really call it a po boy? Can't blame him at all -- I can see the resemblance :)

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  9. I like banh mi, but I've never made my own! This looks amazing.

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  10. I made it and I posted it. WE LOVED IT. Delicious- thank you!

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