Spring is on it's way and these marinated Beef Bahn Mi are the perfect addition to a spring picnic at the beach or the park. Bahn Mi have to be one of my all time favourite sandwiches. I first encountered them on Dominion Road as a graduate. The baguette was the beautiful mix of crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. The smear of butter and pate, then filled with gorgeous fresh and bright ingredients is what has made this one of my all time favourite lunches. One is definitely packed in the fridge for my office lunch tomorrow.
If you have a Vietnamese bakery I would recommend picking up a fresh baguette from there. The addition of rice flour is what makes the Bahn Mi baguette unique both in flavour and texture. However, I've used a fresh French baguette as an alternative. I like the par baked ones fromPaneton Bakeryas they allow me to have fresh baguettes midweek, when getting to a bakery can be tricky. But if any readers can share where to find fresh Bahn Mi baguettes in Auckland, I'd be eternally grateful.
The turmeric and lemongrass marinade is beautiful on firm tofu or tempeh for the vegetarians.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp quality fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 x garlic cloves, minced
- 3 x lemongrass stems, tender centres only fine chopped
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 300gm beef steak, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 x baguette
- 2 tbsp pate
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 x radish, sliced thinnly
- 1 x carrot, julienned
- 1 x spring onion, sliced
- 1 x chilli, sliced
- 1/4 cup coriander, leaves picked
- Ground white pepper to serve
