Vietnamese Sandwiches

Let me start out by saying that I am not Vietnamese, I have no Vietnamese relatives and I know absolutely NO Vietnamese people. This recipe came to me by way of All Recipes and I have no idea how authentic it is. Probably not very, but I read most of the comments and added or subtracted ingredients until I got what I'm showing you here. Authentic or not, it's tasty.

It has an unusual combination of flavors and textures that lend themselves to warmer weather, but that's not to say they aren't nice in the winter too. It's light, flavorful and QUICK. Like....maybe under 15 minutes total, not counting the time to marinate the pork.

Vietnamese Sandwiches
via All Recipes, recipe in it's original form found here.

4 boneless pork chops or slices of loin sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup Spicy Sweet Chili Sauce
1 large (or 2 small) carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
1-2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1-2 tablespoons sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 cup cilantro, or to taste
lime wedges
4- 5 or 6 inch buns (I used an outdoor roll)
Mayo
Spicy Chili Sauce

Marinate the pork chops in 1/2 cup chili sauce in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. Either broil or pan fry the pork chops, if you pan fry choose a non stick pan and don't use any oil. While those are cooking combine the carrot, onion and salt in a bowl with the vinegar and the sugar, making sure to use equal parts. Use enough to coat the vegetables, but not to make them swim in liquid. Start out with the 1 tablespoon of vinegar/sugar and add a little at a time from there but be careful to keep your ratio 1:1 vinegar/sugar. Toast the buns, spread on mayo and drizzle with more chili sauce. Add the cooked pork chops, pickled vegetables, cucumber slices and cilantro. Serve with a lime wedge on the side.

Not only does it make a quick dinner, it really stretches the meat budget by using so little for a meal. I have been told that thin slices of radish and jalapeno pepper are also a traditional addition to this sandwich. So is pate in place of the mayo....I just didn't think my kids were going to go for that one ;)