Friday, May 20, 2011

FAUX MI... my take on a Vietnamese classic -- Banh Mi Sandwich



FAUX MI Serves 4


Tonight I was pondering what to make for dinner. I had the following items on hand: rotisserie chicken; hoagie style rolls; shredded cabbage; garlic; and fresh mint. Hmmmmm... then it came to me: I'll make a fake American-style Banh Mi sandwich!!

Reviving rotisserie chicken with a lightly sweetened, garlic-infused soy sauce, then topping it with crunchy cabbage and the refreshing fresh mint pleased all of the palettes in our house!!

1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, picked & shredded into bite-sized pieces
1/3 cup Less Sodium soy sauce
1 to 2 tsp oil (vegetable, olive or safflower)
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil, optional
1 clove garlic, minced or grated on a microplane (about 1 tsp)
1 to 2 tsp sugar
4 hoagie rolls or one fresh baguette, split but not cut all the way through
mayonnaise , optional
Ginger-Sesame Dressing
1 fresh limes, cut into lime wedges, optional
shredded cabbage, as needed
seedless cucumber, sliced thin *will add next time --TC
fresh herbs - mint and cilantro

Preheat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the soy and oils, bring to a simmer. Add garlic and sugar, simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add chicken and toss to coat, take off heat.

Lightly toast the rolls (I use my toaster oven) and lightly dress with the dressing and mayonnaise. Fill bread with chicken, top with shredded cabbage and fresh herb leaves. Squeeze fresh lime over sandwich. Serve with fresh fruit and enjoy!! --Courtesy of the Traveling Culinarian at home -- May 20, 2011.