Vietnamese-Inspired Pork Meatball Banh Mi

Ingredients

Estimated total cost: €13.49 · €2.25/serving

• 2/3 cup creamy mayonnaiseEst. price €0.45–€0.85
• 2 green onions, finely minced (soak in ice water for extra freshness)Est. price €0.20–€0.40
• 1 tablespoon fiery chili sauce (such as the renowned sriracha)**Est. price €0.15–€0.35
• 1 pound premium ground porkEst. price €4.50–€7.50
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fragrant basil leaves (chiffonade for enhanced flavor)Est. price €0.60–€1.20
• 4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced (crush with the flat side of a knife for better release of aroma)Est. price €0.15–€0.30
• 3 green onions, finely chopped (reserve some green parts for garnish)Est. price €0.20–€0.40
• 1 tablespoon pungent fish sauce (such as the exquisite nam pla or nuoc nam)**Est. price €0.25–€0.50
• 1 tablespoon hot chili sauce (such as the beloved sriracha)Est. price €0.15–€0.35
• 1 tablespoon sugarEst. price €0.05–€0.15

Steps

1. 1

   Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt. This mixture can be prepared in advance, up to 1 day ahead. Simply cover it and refrigerate until ready to use.

2. 2

   Start by lining a rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap. In a large bowl, delicately combine all the ingredients together. With damp hands and using about a tablespoon for each, shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place the meatballs neatly on the prepared baking sheet. If preparing in advance, you can make these up to 1 day ahead. Just remember to cover them and refrigerate until ready to use.

3. 3

   In a medium bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 1 hour, tossing it occasionally.

Full steps, exact amounts, and Cook Mode are available after sign-in.

• Cultural note

  Banh Mi is a popular Vietnamese sandwich that reflects the fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary influences. The use of ingredients like fish sauce, cilantro, and jalapeños highlights the traditional flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, while the baguette bread signifies the French influence. The dish showcases the…

• Seasonal note

  This Vietnamese-inspired pork meatball Banh Mi is best enjoyed in the summer when fresh herbs like basil and cilantro are in season. Carrots and radishes used in the dish are also abundant during this time, adding a burst of freshness to the sandwich.

• Health note

  This dish is rich in protein from the ground pork and offers a good amount of fiber from the vegetables. However, it is high in calories, fat, and sodium, so it should be enjoyed in moderation. The vitamin A from the carrots and vitamin C from the fresh herbs provide added nutritional benefits.