Meatball Banh Mi Recipe

Step 1

For the sauce:

Step 2

In a small saucepan, heat the butter, honey, Sriracha and fish sauce until just melted, and whisk to combine.

Step 3

For the meatballs:

Step 4

Preheat the grill to medium-high.

Step 5

Place the eggplants on the grill and roast until very charred on the outside and soft on the inside, about 20 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the eggplants from the grill, carefully remove the skin and scoop the flesh in a large bowl and mash with a fork.

Step 7

To the same bowl add the pork, beef, grated carrot, onion, garlic, ginger, jalapeño, fish sauce, sugar, egg, breadcrumbs, black pepper and salt.

Step 8

Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized balls, place on a baking sheet tray and roast on the grill for 10 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the meatballs from the pan and place them directly on the grill to sear, flipping once when a golden-brown crust forms.

Step 10

Place the meatballs back on the sheet tray and pour the butter-Sriracha sauce over the top; toss to coat.

Step 11

For the quick spicy pickles:

Step 12

Add the coriander, sugar, salt, rice vinegar and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Set aside to cool.

Step 13

Add the carrots, daikon and jalapeño to a large jar or glass bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over the top to cover. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Step 14

For the spicy mayonnaise:

Step 15

Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl, stir to combine and set aside.

Step 16

To assemble:

Step 17

Wet the outside of the whole loaf of bread and place on the grill; cook until crisp.

Step 18

Cut the bread into 4 pieces, then slice horizontally. Gut the bread (take out the crumbs).

Step 19

To one side of each piece of bread, smear the chicken liver pate and the spicy mayonnaise, and add the meatballs, pickles, cucumbers and cilantro.