Bánh Mì with Vietnamese Pickle and Sriracha-Lime Aioli
The pickle is really what makes a Bánh Mì a Bánh Mì, but our Sriracha-lime aioli is what makes our take on this sandwich simply irresistible!
Note the prep time for both the chicken and the pickle, but it’s worth the wait – trust us! Allowing the chicken to marinate infuses it with fantastic flavor, and a vegetable needs a bit of time to pickle. Check out the video below for a quick how-to!
The Bánh Mì has an interesting story of origin, having to do with the French occupation of Vietnam, but the sandwich is rumored to have been made famous when Le Vo moved from Vietnam to San Jose, Calif., and opened Ba Le Bakery in 1982.
Inspired by Andrea Nguyen of Viet World Kitchen. Serves about 4.
Bánh Mì with Sriracha-Lime Aioli and Vietnamese Pickle
Note the prep time for both the chicken and the pickle, but it’s worth the wait – trust us! The Bánh Mì has an interesting story of origin, having to do with the French occupation of Vietnam, but the sandwich is rumored to have been made famous in the United States when Le Vo moved from Vietnam to San Jose, Calif., and opened Ba Le Bakery in 1982. The pickle is really what makes a Bánh Mì a Bánh Mì, but our Sriracha-lime aioli is what makes our take on this sandwich simply irresistible! Inspired by Andrea Nguyen of Viet World Kitchen. Serves about 4.
Ingredients
Vietnamese Daikon & Carrot Pickle (Do Chua)
- 1 carrot
- One daikon radish about a ½ to ¾ lb. (look for daikon with about a 2-inch diameter)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp + 1/4 cup granulated sugar divided
- 1/2 cup water lukewarm
- 2/3 cup distilled white vinegar
Chicken:
- 1.5 to 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tsp Sigona’s roasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp Chinese Five Spice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
- 1 ½ Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
Sriracha-Lime Aioli:
- 2 to 4 Tbsp Sriracha to taste
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup Sigona’s Persian lime olive oil
Sandwich Toppings:
- Sandwich rolls or a wide baguette such as bolillo buns; nothing too fancy
- Soy sauce or liquid aminos for splashing
- Sliced cucumber
- Fresh cilantro and/or other fresh herbs
- Sliced jalapeño
Instructions
- Prepare the pickle: Peel both the carrot and the daikon. Cut into matchsticks about 3 inches long and about as wide as the fattest part of a chopstick; place in a bowl. Add the salt and 1 tsp of the sugar. Using your hands, massage the carrot and daikon for about 3 minutes. This expels the water and softens the veg. They’re perfectly softened when you can bend a daikon matchstick in half and make the ends touch without snapping the stick. Drain the mixture and rinse; press to remove excess water. Return mixture to bowl or a jar.
- In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk the remaining sugar with the vinegar and until dissolved. Pour the mixture over the vegetables (it should cover the vegetables). Allow the mixture to marinate for at least 1 hour before serving. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
- Prepare the chicken: Trim and flatten the thighs. Place the chicken in a glass baking dish or a large zip-top bag. In a bowl, whisk together all the remaining ingredients then pour over chicken. Allow to marinate in the fridge at least 3 hours, or up to 1 day, before grilling.
- Allow chicken to return to room temperature before grilling. Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken about 3 to 4 minutes a side or until cooked through (165°F)
- Allow to rest about 5 minutes then slice against the grain. Keep warm until ready to use.
- Prepare the rolls: Preheat an oven to 325°F. Bake the sandwich rolls for about 8 minutes until the outside is crisp and they sound hollow when tapped. Allow to cool before serving.
- Meanwhile, prepare the aioli: In a blender or a mixing cup for an immersion blender, add the egg, sriracha, and salt. While the blade is running, slowly drizzle in the oil; continue blending until the mixture is emulsified. Set aside.
- To Build the Bánh Mì: Drain servings of the pickle and pat dry. Without slicing all the way through, slice the rolls lengthwise (leave a hinge). Scoop out a little of the bread (to better fit ingredients inside, my dear!), then spread some of the aioli all over the inside of the roll then lightly dash a bit of soy sauce or liquid aminos on top. Layer on the chicken, the pickle, the cucumber, jalapeño and the herbs. Close up that Bánh Mì, serve remaining aioli on the side and dig in!
Video
Notes
Sigona’s Persian lime infused olive oil is available in our markets and online at www.sigonas.com
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
