Is That Chick'n Sandwich Bahn Mi?

Strange things happen when I'm having a busy day at work. I work at a hospital doing patient food service and between sprinting down the hallways arms full of tube feed and making fruit plate after fruit plate, my mind starts to wander to the next meal. After a full day of being on my feet running around like Marion Jones (sans steroids) why on earth would I want to come home and cook a full meal?

Obviously you all don't know me well enough.

Because not only did I come home and start cooking dinner, I chose to make something really time intensive so at 9 o clock I was finally sitting down to dinner. Now that's what you call love.

After making super delicious chick'n sandwich number 1, I knew I had to come up with a part two that was equally as delicious. My fridge is absolutely exploding with pak choy (aka bok choy) compliments of the CSA. I knew I wanted to make an Asian slaw with plenty of vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, carrots and cucumbers.

This made me think of a bahn mi sandwich, which led me to thinking I should make my own sandwich rolls.

Strange how my mind works right? Cutting up jell-o and spooning up pre-made coleslaw can cause the mind to wander to interesting places.

The slaw was simple to make and tasted fabulous as long as you like a nice heady bite of vinegar with your slaws. I would have preferred a rice wine vinegar with some fresh ginger, but standard white vinegar with dried ginger is acceptable.

So about these homemade sandwich rolls...bread and I have a tricky relationship that no matter what bread I make it always tastes good but its so dense! I'm sure it's because I overmix the dough (I tend to have a heavy hand with mixing) but I'm always worried I'm not going to mix it enough!

The rolls were fairly simple, just have to leave time for two rises and baking. I doctored the recipe a bit by experimenting with different flours. I bough spelt flour eons ago to make this, but have yet to get around to it. Instead I subbed in 1 cup of spelt flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour for 2 cups of the AP flour in this recipe.

Verdict? I couldn't tell a difference. Spelt flour is great because it adds extra fiber and has a nice nutty taste that complements the whole wheat flour. That being said I didn't think the rolls tasted "healthy" in the least. But then again I usually like "healthy" foods so I might not be the best judge...

Anyways, these sandwiches were delightful. I am in love with the naked chick'n cutlets from Quorn (so easy!) and they paired beautifully with the sour Asian slaw and nutty roll. If you're in the mood for something a little east of the boarder, give this recipe a try. It gets the HTIC seal of approval :D

Homemade Chick'n Bahn Mi* Style Sandwiches

Bread
Adapted from Kelly Annie
1/2 cup warm water
2 1/4 T. packages of yeast
1 T. sugar
2.5 cups warm water
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups AP flour (you can use 4 cups of AP instead of the two flours below)
1 cup spelt flour
1 cup whole wheat flour

1. Combine yeast with 1/2 cup of water and sugar. Let sit for five minutes.
2. Combine yeast and water mixture with remaining water, butter and flour. Mix until a wet ball has formed.
3. Add mixture to stand mixture or turn out onto floured surface. Lightly knead dough and continue to add flour until a easy to handle ball forms.
4. Put ball in an oiled bowl and allow to rise for 45 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 400. Shape dough into roll sized portions and position on cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. All to cool slightly before use.

Asian Slaw
HTIC Original
2 bunches of pak choy, sliced
3 carrots, coarsely grated
1 cucumber, julienne
2 garlic scapes, chopped 
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
Generous pinch of red pepper flakes
2 t. sugar (or more to taste)
1-2 t. ground ginger

1. Whisk vinegar through ground ginger together in small bowl.
2. Combine vegetables in large bowl and pour vinegar mixture on top. Mix well to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 1 hour or longer.

To Construct Sandwich:
1. Cook chick'n (or real chicken) according to package directions or preference. Place on one side of cut bun.
2. Place a heaping handful of slaw on top. Spread sweet red chili sauce on other side of bun. Close the lid, cut in half and enjoy!

*I know these aren't true bahn mi sandwiches because I don't have the right type of bread. Hence the necessary style in the title. This is okay for this recipe, but ofter foods that use style in the description approach with caution...I mean homestyle?? Why not actually make it at home...

What I'm Listening to Today
New Resolution: Azure Ray-->used to be obsessed with this song in high school. Seriously all I listened to for months at a time.
Lovers in Japan: Coldplay--> love this video.
In God's Country: U2-->speaking of obsession...