BANH

banh means bread.
i just listed the recipe on the last post.
and speaking of posts,
i've officially surpassed my previous most posts in a year by a few already.
we can all thank sandwich week 
for coming through with the first week upgrades that i could write about
without falling all the way to pieces.
what would a sandwich week be without a banh mi, though/
i mean, it's one of the best.
and the way i work it, it might be better than most.
that's real.
look:

too much is the right amount.
the jalapeno on top was SPICY.
the cilantro was cool.
the sriracha was SPICY.
the mayo was cool.
the quick-pickled radish and carrot were sweet.
the scallions were subtle.
the pickles were tangy.
the red onion was sharp.
the cucumbers were crisp.
the red cabbage was crawnchy.
the avocado was smooth, and the most ripe and ready.
the tofu had a little extra-agave-added teriyaki glaze
on top of the coconut-oil crispy skins and caramelized edges.
and the bread was buttered and toasted after cooling off from an early a.m. bake.
...

if you're gonna go banh banh,
then make sure you make some quick-pixxx for yourself, son-
1/2 carrot cut into 2" slivered sticks;
1 radish, sliced into halved discs;
enough rice wine vinegar to almost cover them in a small jar;
pink salt and sugar, to taste;
and a little water to immerse the veg all the way under with.
leave that overnight, and you'll have wizard sauce in the morning.
i mean it.
it's always just a little farty smelling, but once you drain it, you're a winner!
don't be fooled, they taste fantastic.

banh mi does something extra special to my anticipatory manners.
i just LOVE 'em.
even when the jalapeno is one of those really hot ones.
i still feel comforted as i hiccup through the heat.
here's the thing about sandwich week:
i'm making sandwiches no matter what....
but YOU should be making them, too.
i mean, on holidays, everybody does their version, right?
right.
maybe i'm the only one?
i've been making extra sandwiches because i love making sandwiches,
but that's specifically NOT the point.
i'd always hoped that folks would get creative or inspired and bake bread
and think up themes and sandwich up their damned lives a little.
that's not what's happening,
and that's sort of disappointing.
*
there's something about winter,
or almost-winter that kind of feels like a relief.
i mean,
why wouldn't i get under all the blankets?
it's F*ing freezing all the time.
i'm not being a wastrel, i'm retaining heat.
and since i get up and it's dark, and i leave work and it's dark,
and the only real light i feel on my face is out on a walk with the dog,
why wouldn't i go to bed early?
it's dark. it's cold.
and it's heavy like a glacier.
i'm moving slowly, time is moving quickly,
and somewhere in between, i'm just doing my best to make stacks on stacks
of movie checks, to fund the next big things.
i have a bellyful of bread, but a heart empty of laughs.
i need more of what's good, and more of who's better.
that's what i've gotta get my hands on;
never quiet, never soft.....