if any of you are like me (*shudder* to think!), turkey is the necessary evil you have to deal with in order to enjoy all the tasty side dishes at thanksgiving. (mmmm creamy mashed potatoes, candied sweet potato casserole, stuffing...and, um, harvest vegetable casserole [long story].) i can't quite figure why this is - after all, i like chicken, duck, pheasant. but turkey: just not a huge fan. such a...poultry option. get it: POULTRY option?! hahahahah- ok, never mind. but seriously, when i say i'm "not a huge fan," i mean i think turkey is just "bleh."
of course, when suz sent us off on thanksgiving night with several containers of leftovers, i took the turkey thinking to myself "well, THAT'll go right into the compost." (i used my inside voice / internal monologue, so don't worry nobody heard.) that said, i held onto it, being the eternal optimist that i am (please, contain yourselves). after all, you never know.
so call me only half surprised tonight (like i said, you never know) when i found myself reading the thanksgiving issue of martha stewart (i shan't say *where* i was when i was perusing said issue) and came across a recipe that i just had to try. so i texted (of course, cuz i hate the phone) the hubby and asked him to bring home a carrot, cucumber, jalapeno, and a baguette on his way home.
the recipe is for a vietnamese turkey sandwich (banh mi). yeah, i know, right? *i* never thought of it either, and yet, it's totally brilliant. (impossible??) i actually didn't end up using the recipe in MS, but it's definitely the inspiration for the recipe below. don't worry so much about the proportions - a little bit more or less of anything isn't going to make that much a difference - it'll be pure deliciousness regardless. oh and, p.s. the hubby doesn't really like turkey either, but he agreed with me: tonight's sandwiches were tasty!
enjoy!
Vietnamese-Style Turkey Sandwich (Banh Mi)
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced crosswise (seeded, if you can't take the heat [ahem])
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tsps sugar
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 1/2 tsps Sriracha
2 tbsps good quality extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Asian fish sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
8 oz. cooked turkey, sliced (dark or white meat - whatever you prefer)
12" baguette
1/3 cup packed cilantro sprigs (for those of you who like cilantro. YUCK)
Cut off round ends of baguette, slice lengthwise, and toast lightly.
In a medium bowl, stir vinegar and sugar, add cucumber and carrot and let marinate for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and Sriracha. In another small bowl, combine olive oil, fish sauce, and soy sauce.
On bottom baguette layer, spread mayonnaise sauce. Layer cucumber slices, jalapenos, carrots, and onion (add cilantro here if you're using. YUCK). Then arrange sliced turkey on top of vegetables. On top baguette layer, spread fish sauce dressing. Assemble, and cut crosswise in half (if necessary, use toothpicks to support sandwich). Serves 2.
