Banh Mi (Vietnamese Subs)

Kitchencrazy in NC's Note:

This sandwich was one of my favorite subs that we would get when we would go to Chicago to go shopping in Chinatown for groceries for my mom's restaurant. They are great sandwiches to make ahead & keep in the fridge for an easy grab meal.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0 sandwic ...

Slaw

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup julienned carrot
• ½ cup julienned daikon radish
• salt

Filling

• ½ lb boneless pork loin
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 dash soy sauce
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 1 pinch ground black pepper

Sandwiches

• 8 (10 inch) French baguettes , split lengthwise
• mayonnaise , as needed
• soy sauce
• ½ cup fresh cilantro , chopped
• ¼ medium English cucumber , cut in diagonal slices
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 jalapeno , sliced (optional)

Directions:

1. To make the slaw: In a pot, add water, sugar & vinegar; bring to boil. Transfer the vinegar mixture in a large boil & set aside to cool. Once cooled, added the carrots & daikon. Set aside in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight.
2. To make the filling: In a large pot, place pork loin & cover with water. Bring to boil over medium heat; simmer until cooked thorough, about 20 minutes. While the pork is cooking, in a large skillet, add oil. Once the oil is heated add the ground pork, onions, garlic powder, black pepper & soy sauce.Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or unil pork is cook through. Remove from the stove & cover with a lid or foil to keep warm.
3. Once the pork loin is thoroughly cooked, place on a cutting board & cut into 1/4-1/2 inches thick slices. Cover with foil once all cut.
4. To make sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread mayonnaise on baguettes. Place on cookie sheet & place in oven for 5 minutes until the crust is hot & crispy. Remove from the oven & make the sandwiches immediately in this order (it can get messy here):.
5. 2 pork loin slices.
6. spoonful ground pork.
7. drizzle with soy sauce.
8. 2-3 slices english cucumber.
9. 2-3 slices jalapeno.
10. cliantro.
11. slaw (you can also no add it to the sandwich & serve on the side- I prefer in the sandwich!).
12. black pepper.
13. Close sandwich & you can either wrap in plastic wrap & store in the refrigerator or eat immediately. Enjoy!