Spicy Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Food

LEMONGRASS CHICKEN BANH MI

Steps:

• Start by preparing the carrot and daikon. Add the julienned carrots and daikon to a large bowl and toss in the sugar, salt, vinegar and sesame oil. Set aside for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Then prepare the chicken. In the bowl of a food processor, add 2 tablespoons oil, the fish sauce, oyster sauce, pepper flakes, sugar, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, and lime zest. Process until smooth. Add to a bowl, along with the chicken, and toss to coat the chicken in the marinade. Cover, transfer to the fridge, and marinate for 1-4 hours.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Set aside on a plate.
• To assemble the sandwiches, combine the mayonnaise, Sriracha, and lime juice.
• Open up each piece of bread, and spread the sriracha mayonnaise on each side. Fill with the pickled carrots and daikon. Slice the cooked chicken, and add it to the sandwiches, along with sliced jalapeños and cilantro. Serve!

GRILLED LEMONGRASS CHICKEN KEBAB SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the kebabs: Combine the garlic, shallot, ginger, lemongrass and cilantro in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the lime zest and juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and vegetable oil and process until a coarse paste forms. Put the chicken in a large bowl and add the ginger paste; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the pickled vegetables: Bring the vinegar, 1/4 cup water, the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar and salt dissolve. Let cool slightly. Combine the carrots and cucumber in a small bowl and pour the brine over the top; press the vegetables to submerge. Refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 4 hours. Drain, then stir in the cilantro.
• Make the spicy mayonnaise: Stir the mayonnaise, lime zest and juice and Sriracha in a small bowl; season with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Preheat a grill to medium. Drain the chicken, brushing off any large pieces of the ginger paste. Thread the chicken, daikon and jalapeños onto ten 12-inch skewers. Season with salt.
• Brush the grill grates with vegetable oil. Grill the kebabs, turning often, until the chicken is cooked through and well-marked, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove to a platter and sprinkle with cilantro and Thai basil. Serve in baguettes with the pickled vegetables, spicy mayonnaise and lime wedges.

SPICY LEMONGRASS CHICKEN BANH MI

Steps:

• Pickled Cucumber and Carrot: Mix the rice vinegar, sugar and sea salt in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to the boil until the sugar dissolved and let cool to room temperature. Place the carrot, cucumber and chilies in a mixing bowl and add in the sugar and vinegar mixture. Chill for about 20 minutes before serving.
• Sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients to mix. Set aside.
• Spicy Lemongrass Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with sea salt and black pepper. Heat a large cast-iron pan over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil.
• Add the chicken and fry both side until golden brown. Turn the heat to medium and mix in the sauce, press down the chicken meat with a spatula and continue to cook until the sauce thickens and becomes caramelized. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before slicing.
• Sandwich: Lightly toast the baguettes and fill with chicken slices with its sauce, pickled vegetables, green chili and assorted herbs. Serve immediately.

LEMONGRASS TOFU BANH MI

Steps:

• Cut tofu crosswise into 6 (2/3-inch-thick) slices. Arrange tofu on several layers of paper towels. Cover with additional paper towels; top with a cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan. Let stand 15 minutes. Remove tofu from paper towels. (An easier method is to freeze completely then defrost. No need pressing.).
• Combine 2 tablespoons lemongrass, 2 tablespoons water, soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange tofu slices in a single layer in soy mixture, turning to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Combine vinegar and the next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Add carrot and radish; toss well. Let stand for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain.
• Combine remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, mayonnaise, and Sriracha in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut bread horizontally. Spread mayonnaise mixture evenly on cut sides of bread.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Remove tofu from marinade, and discard marinade. Pat tofu slices dry with paper towels. Add tofu slices to pan, and cook for 4 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden.
• Arrange tofu slices on bottom half of bread; top tofu slices with carrot mixture and cucumber slices and cilantro sprigs. Cut loaf crosswise into 6 equal pieces.