Juicy Marbles

Vegan Bahn Mi

WITH PULLED MEATY MEAT, SPICY MAYO, AND QUICK-PICKLED VEGETABLES

We all want to fly to Vietnam, find the nearest roadside cafe, and scarf down a handcrafted Bahn Mi sandwich that over a century has been refined to the last detail by one tiny, outspoken granny. But sadly, this granny magic is out of reach for most of us. So, instead of haggling with your toxic boss over vacation days and schlepping 6000 miles across the world, I invite you to whip up your own perfect Bahn Mi using this simple, granny-inspired recipe. Store-bought ingredients will do just fine. But if you really want to honour our mythical tiny grandma, arm yourself with vegetables from the local market and some fresh bread from the neighborhood bakery. Then, carve out 20 minutes to chop, marinate, and drizzle this tangy, savory, herbaceous wonder into existence…and promptly destroy it with your face.

Ingredients

Quick Pickled Vegetables
• 2 cups / 250g carrots, daikon or radishes (around ½ large daikon or couple of regular radishes, and 1 large carrot)
• 50 ml water
• 150 ml rice vinegar (white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt

Pulled Meaty Meat
• 2 Meaty Meat Pork-ish
• 5 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 2 tbsp sesame oil

Spicy Mayo
• 150 g vegan mayonnaise
• 2 ½ tbsp Sriracha (or hot sauce of your choice)
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• ½ tsp salt

Extras
• Soft white bread like baguette or 4 buns
• 2 tbsp crispy shallots/fried onions
• 1 bunch of fresh coriander
• 1 red or green chili
• 4 persian cucumbers or 1 large cucumber

40 min / serves 4

preparation

Quick Pickled Vegetables
1. Peel and thinly slice vegetables into matchsticks (a mandoline slicer makes this step easier).
2. Combine water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Pour hot vinegar mixture over sliced vegetables and let them marinate for at least 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Pulled Meaty Meat
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C.
2. Shred the Meaty Meat using a fork.
3. Mix together BBQ sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, lime zest, and sesame oil.
4. Combine shredded Meaty Meat with sauce mixture and let it sit for a few minutes to marinate.
5. Spread the Meaty Meat into a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning.

Spicy Mayo
1. Mix together mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice, lime zest, and salt.

Sandwich Assembly
1. Prepare your sandwich toppings: destem fresh coriander leaves, and thinly slice cucumber and chili.
2. Cut the bread lengthwise without cutting all the way through, keeping the top and bottom connected, and lightly toast it under a broiler or in a pan (optional).
3. Smear both sides of the bread with a thick layer of spicy mayo.
4. Mindfully layer pulled Meaty Meat, pickled vegetables, cucumber, coriander, and chili. Sprinkle with crispy shallots.

Create this masterpiece, snap a picture, and tag us @juicymarbles to share your culinary triumph. Bon appétit!