Chicken Bahn Meatballs

This is my simple version of a Vietnamese favorite street food. My Bahn Mi (Meatball) sandwich is made with ground chicken and served on a soft roll. Make lots they will want seconds!

You will need:

• 1 lb ground chicken - dark and white is best
• 1 tbsp finely chopped white part of lemongrass
• 3-4 cloves garlic - chopped finely
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro/coriander
• 1 small fresh chili - chopped finely (use 3/4 in the meatballs and 1/4 in carrot topping)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
• enough good extra virgin olive oil to cover the bottom of pan while cooking the meatballs (you could use peanut or another oil but. I love olive oil so I use it for everything!)
• a bit of ginger ale to deglaze the pan
• 2-3 small carrots -sliced into fine matchsticks
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1.4 of the chopped chilies
• 1 tsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 mini English cucumber - sliced into matchsticks
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh buns
• more cilantro 
• lime wedges 
• sweet Thai chili sauce 

Start with a good quality ground chicken. I like a blend of dark and white meat for a more tender meatball.

Step 1: in a large bowl combine chicken, lemongrass, chopped garlic, cilantro, chili, brown sugar, salt, fish sauce, sesame oil and breadcrumbs. 

mix to combine

Step 2: form into balls and you can store in fridge for a few hours or heat oil and prepare right away.

I used a Planeta Olive oil from Sicily to cook on medium heat until browned and cooked through.

At the last minute I pour over a good glug of ginger ale to add a bit of sweetness and also to deglaze the pan.

Step 3: While the meatballs cook I prepare the vegetable/quick pickle

Chop carrots into think matchsticks

Chop chili, cilantro and cucumber. Add rice wine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to taste.

Serve a few meatballs on a soft roll top with a squeeze of lime,  the vegetables, more cilantro and some Sweet Thai Chili sauce if you like or even a bit of sliced mango!!