Tofu Bahn Mi
One of the things I found surprising the first time I was in Vietnam was Bahn Mi. This sandwich looked like anything but the traditional Vietnamese food I was used to seeing. I love Bahn Mi and found vegan options at Buddhist temples. I put my own twist on it and here is a simple Bahn Mi sandwich you can easily pull together in less than 30 minutes. The key is the bread. The bread needs to be thin and crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. It is the airiness of the inside that allows all the ingredients to mush together and soak into the inside, but not make it soggy. The bread selection is key.
Ingredients
1 block extra firm tofu
¼ cup tapioca starch
1 cucumber
¼ cabbage
2-3 carrots
2 green onions
Handful cilantro. minced (optional)
Peanuts (optional)
1 tablespoon mirin
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon organic sugar (or agave or vegan honey)
2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce)
2+ tablespoons sambal oelek (or an Asian chili sauce)
Drizzle of sesame oil (optional)
1 tablespoon oil (sunflower or coconut)
1 loaf of french bread or individual blimp-shaped loaves (see note in description for proper bread selection)
Open tofu package and drain. Use a kitchen towel and press block to remove excess liquid. Slice tofu block into thin slices. Cutting the short way; I usually get 12 thin slices. In a cast-iron pan, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil and heat until just prior to boiling. Dredge tofu in tapioca starch and place in hot oil - be careful not to burn yourself! Make sure the pieces are not touching. Do not move pieces until you can tell they are cooking through. You may need to adjust the heat down to medium/medium-high depending on your stove. Once browned, flip and brown other side.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together mirin, rice vinegar, sugar, tamari, sambal oelek, and sesame oil. Shred cabbage and carrots drizzle about ½ of the dressing and mix well. Slice green onion, and add to cabbage. Using a mandoline (if you have), thinly slice cucumbers, set aside. Prepare your bread by cutting in half lengthwise but leave one side attached.
To assemble line cucumbers on one side of the bread. Top with 3 pieces of tofu, then using tongs, add cabbage. Garnish with cilantro and peanuts.
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