Bánh Mì With Savory Tofu
This Bánh Mì with Savory Tofu has rich, spicy flavors balanced with crunchy, tangy veggies and bright fresh herbs served on a lightly toasted baguette with a spread of spicy garlic aioli. A healthy, delicious plant-based version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich!
Servings: 4 Sandwiches
Equipment
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Rubber Spatula
- 1 oven or air fryer
Ingredients
Quick-Pickled Veggies
- 2 large carrots, small or medium julienne
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
- ⅓ of a red onion, sliced into thin rounds
- ½-1 jalapeño, sliced into rounds, most or all seeds removed (optional for spice)
- ½-¾ cup rice vinegar
- ½ tsp sugar
Tofu
- 16 oz extra-firm tofu, cut into long rectangular strips (about ½-inch thick)
- 1 ½ Tbsp soy sauce (or sub Tamari for gluten free)
- 2 tsp Sambal Oelek or Sriracha
- ¾ tsp Garlic powder
- ¾ tsp ground ginger or 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
For Serving
- 4 sandwich-sized baguette rolls
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- couple handfuls of fresh basil leaves
Spicy Garlic Aioli (or use plain vegan mayo)
- 3 Tbsp vegan mayo
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2-3 tsp Sriracha
- ½ tsp lime juice
Instructions
- Quick-Pickled Veggies: Prepare the night before or at least 1 hour before assembling the sandwiches. Combine all ingredients listed under “Quick-Pickled Veggies” in a medium-to-large glass container with a tight fitting lid. Give container a good shake and place in the refrigerator until ready to use, shaking container periodically.
- Pre-heat oven or air-fryer to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prep Tofu: Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place something weighted on top to press out moisture, 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, measure out everything else under "Tofu" in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Cut tofu in half lengthwise, then cut into long rectangular strips, about ½ thick. Place tofu in the large bowl with sauce and use rubber spatula to carefully stir and coat the tofu evenly. Option to let the tofu marinade for 30 minutes but not required.
- Bake Tofu: Place tofu strips on parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes, until golden and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Spicy Garlic Aioli: In a small bowl, mix together everything under "spicy garlic aioli". (Alternatively, you can just use plain mayo as the spread.)
- Serving: Cut baguette into sandwich-sized sections and toast lightly in the oven. Spread spicy garlic aioli (or just plain vegan mayo) on toasted bread and assemble sandwiches with tofu, generous amounts of pickled veggies, a handful of cilantro, and several large basil leaves. Enjoy!