Heat Up Your Winter! Easy, Gut-Healthy Vietnamese Bahn Mi Sandwiches

It's been cloudy and rainy these past few days here in Sacramento. While soups are my usual go-to meals to cook during the winter season, it's nice to have another accompaniment just as soothing and warming, but in a different shape and form. My husband and I like to enjoy a good Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich from the local shop every now and then. I've been interested in learning how to make some of our favorite takeout foods at home and this one was another hit!

What makes this Vietnamese Bahn Mi so warming and soothing are the fermented vegetables with ginger, chopped jalapeños, and fresh mint leaves. Ginger is a known stomach soother and warming herb boasting in many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Probiotics from the fermented vegetables further contribute to helping the gut digest and soothe itself after the meal and even throughout the day.

This sandwich is an all-new winner in our home and very easy to put together. We've also been experimenting with homemade miso soup, which we have been enjoying along with our Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwiches. See below for more details, a special garlic sriracha sauce recipe along with how to make the sandwich!

Sandwich Ingredients:

sourdough baguette 

chopped jalapeño (decision to keep seeds is optional based on preference for spice/heat)

1/4 cup farmhouse culture orange ginger carrots

1/4 cup farmhouse culture kimchi

fresh cilantro

fresh, chopped mint leaves

protein of choice (we used garlic basil seasoned chicken breast)

Garlic Sriracha Spread:

3 cloves minced garlic

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

4 tablespoons sriracha sauce

1/2 cup mayoniase (we use organic canola oil mayo)

1 tsp salt (or to taste)

Preparation: Bake chicken and slice into thin slices for size of sandwich. Cut sourdough baguette into desired sandwich length. Prepare garlic sriracha spread by combining all ingredients and mixing well.  Adjust vinegar to salt to sriracha ratios depending on taste preference. This is the beauty of home cooking! Adjusting and personalizing flavors to match your individual palate!

Next, spread desired amount of garlic sriracha sauce on bread and begin placing carrot mixture, kimchi, cilantro, mint leaves and jalapeños. Lastly, add meat or protein of choice and the sandwich is good to go! Eat alone or pair with a nice side soup and Enjoy!

Bon Appetit!