(Originally posted 6/9/09)

Mike and I made an amazing discovery last night, Vietnamese pork sandwiches (banh mi)......or as they will henceforth be referred to in this household, 'The Indisputed King of All Sandwiches, Period.' Want one? I do, too.

Grate 1 large carrot into a bowl. Add a large handful of shredded cabbage and some thinly sliced red onion to make Asian slaw. Toss with rice wine vinegar and a splash of sesame oil, add salt and pepper to taste. Wash & chop the following herbs: cilantro, basil, mint. Peel & slice cucumber, set this & herb mixture aside to garnish sandwiches. Slice pork thinly (we used regular pork chops...roughly, 1 chop = 2 sandwiches, or 1 sandwich if you're really hungry, so plan & adjust amounts of everything else accordingly), season with chinese five spice powder. Add vegetable oil to a hot pan and add 1 chopped garlic clove and some chopped shallot. Saute for a minute or two until golden then add pork slices. Make sure pork keeps moving and cooks evenly; add a sprinkle of sugar and soy sauce while cooking. Set pork aside.

On sliced baguette, spread a very thin layer of mayonnaise on one side. Squirt as much sriracha (Asian red chile) sauce as you dare over top of this. Add sliced cucumbers, cooked pork slices, and a few heaping spoonfuls of asian slaw in that order. Place another slice of baguette on top. OMG YOU HAVE JUST MADE THE KING OF ALL SANDWICHES. It is juicy, spicy, salty, crunchy, soft and sweet all at once. Enjoy!