VIETNAMESE BEACH BAGUETTE

This take on a vegetarian banh mi is made with a spicy tofu salad flavored with chili crisp and served on a baguette. You can omit the fish sauce to make it vegan.

1 daikon radish, peeled, thinly sliced and cut into

matchsticks

2 carrots, peeled, thinly sliced and cut into matchsticks ½ cup rice vinegar, plus 2 teaspoons, divided 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

½ cup warm water

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons fish sauce

1 wide French baguette or 4 individual baguettes 1 package extra-firm tofu, drained

4 tablespoons chili crisp

1 head butter lettuce

1 bunch fresh mint, washed and tough stems removed 1 bunch fresh basil, washed and tough stems removed 1 bunch cilantro, washed and tough stems removed ¼ cup chopped peanuts

Make the pickled vegetables: In a small bowl, combine radishes, carrots, ½ cup rice vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar. Make sure that the vegetables are submerged. Set aside until ready to use. You can leave them in the liquid for as little as 15 minutes or as long as overnight.

Make the nuoc cham: In a small bowl, whisk together the warm water, lime juice, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, and fish sauce. Set aside until ready to use.

Split the baguette(s) in half, leaving a “hinge.”

In a medium bowl, smash the tofu with a fork and add the chili crisp. Combine well, adding more chili crisp if desired. Spread the tofu mixture on the bottom half of the baguette. Top with butter lettuce leaves, pickled vegetables, mint, basil and cilantro. Top with the chopped peanuts. Drizzle ¼ cup nuoc cham on the inside of the top of the baguette. If using individual baguettes, drizzle equal portions of nuoc cham on the inside of the top of each baguette. (Reserve remaining nuoc cham for another use.) Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature to serve.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Per sandwich: 492 calories (percent of calories from fat, 22), 28 grams protein, 73 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 13 grams total fat (2 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 1,007 milligrams sodium.