SHRIMP BANH MI (VIETNAMESE SHRIMP SANDWICH)

Shrimp Banh Mi (Vietnamese Shrimp Sandwich) image

Provided by gailanng

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 23

1/2 cup warm water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 lb carrot (grated through a medium fine grater)
1/4 lb daikon radish (grated through a medium fine grater)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon oil
1 shallot, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 baguette (French bread loaf)
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 lb large shrimp, cooked (see recipe above)
1/2 cup pickled carrots and daikon radish (see recipe above)
1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
1 bunch cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and sliced

Steps:

For the Pickled Vegetables: Mix the water, vinegar, sugar and salt until the sugar and salt dissolves. Place the carrots and daikon radish in a container and pour the liquid over. Let pickle for one hour. Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
For the Shrimp: Heat the sugar and water in a pan on medium high heat until the sugar caramelizes and turns dark brown. Carefully (it will splatter) add the water and fish sauce and stir over low heat until the caramel dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes until soft. Add shrimp, caramel sauce, fish sauce, and pepper and cook until shrimp is pink all over about 3-4 minutes. Let cool.
Cut baguette into four pieces and slice in half. Mix mayonnaise, soy sauce together in a bowl and spread on bread. Divide shrimp among 4 sandwiches. Divide and place the remaining ingredients on each sandwich.