Pork Chop Banh Mi Sandwiches

Serves: 4 | Time: 2 1/2 hours marinate time, 45 minutes for cooking and assembly

Banh mi are Vietnamese sandwiches that are an excellent blend of sweet, savory, spicy and aromatic flavors.

INGREDIENTS

Pork Marinade

• 2 pounds pastured pork chops, bones and fat removed, and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
• 4 tablespoons fish sauce
• 4 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon rice or apple cider vinegar
• Juice from half a lime

Pickled Veggies

• 1 cup kohlrabi, red radish, carrot or daikon, cut into matchsticks
• 1/4 cup rice or apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup grandulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sandwiches

• A large baguette, cut evenly into four pieces (each about 4-5 inches long)
• 1 cucumber sliced 1/8 inch thick
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 4 scallions, sliced lengthwise into quarters and cut into thirds
• 1 or 2 jalapenos sliced 1/8 inch thick
• Mayonnaise

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk together fish sauce, honey or maple syrups, oil, garlic, soy sauce or tamari, vinegar, and lime juice. Toss in the pork to coat and allow to marinate for at least 2 and up to 8 hours.
2. Prepare the pickled veggies by whisking together vinegar, water, granulated sugar, and salt until the sugar has dissolved. Add the kohlrabi, red radish, carrot, and/or daikon matchsticks and allow to marinate for at least 2 hours.
3. Pan fry pork on medium heat until cooked through and the outside has caramelized.
4. Assemble the sandwiches. Slice each baguette piece in half. Spread Mayonnaise on each half of the baguette, then layer cucumber, pork, scallions, pickled veggies, jalapenos, and cilantro.