Shortcut Banh Mi With Pickled Carrots and Daikon

Authenticity is not the goal of this banh mi. Nor is coming up with a newfangled variation. This is a sandwich that, with quick work, maintains the porky-pickled-fiery essence of a classic banh mi with easy-to-find ingredients. Melissa Clark

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PICKLED VEGETABLES
¾ cup shredded carrots
¾ cup thinly sliced Persian, Kirby or European cucumbers
½ cup shredded daikon radish
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

FOR THE PORK
½ cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
2 to 3 tablespoons sriracha or other chili sauce, to taste
1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
½ cup chopped fresh basil
 Finely grated zest of 1 lime
 Juice of 1/2 lime

FOR THE SANDWICH
6 small hero rolls or 2 baguettes cut into thirds, split
 Fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced and seeded, for serving
 Mint sprigs, for serving
 Cilantro sprigs, for serving

FOR THE PICKLED VEGETABLES
To make the pickled vegetables: In a bowl, toss together the carrots, cucumbers, daikon, vinegar, sugar and salt and let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the pork. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon scallions and 1 to 2 tablespoons chili sauce, to taste. Cover tightly and set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons scallions and the garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add pork and cook, breaking up with a fork, until no longer pink, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon chili sauce and the fish sauce, pepper, salt and sugar. Remove from heat and stir in the basil, lime zest and lime juice. Let cool 5 minutes, then add mayonnaise mixture.

Fill bread with pork mixture. Press the jalapeño, mint and cilantro sprigs into the pork. Spoon some pickled vegetables onto the sandwiches and serve any extra alongside.