You’ll want to think of this dish as a cross between Italian Panzanella and the Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich….two of my very favorite things on earth. It’s an Italian-Asian Fusion dish of sorts…one that explodes with flavor and textural crunch…honestly it’s amazing. I could have shoveled eaten a few more plates full.
One of the secrets to the Banh Mi sandwich, and this salad of course, is perfectly seasoned meat. This is why I use my fave sausage. I seriously love their stuff when it comes to flavor. And no one is paying me to say that! It’s just good. And it works. This recipe is no exception.
With lots of pickled, crunchy veggies like carrots, cucumbers and daikon radish the salad has a great taste. Have you ever had daikon radish? It’s much milder than the red radish but gives a really nice flavor.
And the bread….swoon. I used a crusty Tuscan loaf. Any type of thick crusted bread will do…it was awesome when flavored with the salad ingredients and baked with a spicy Sriracha oil.
The salad is finished off with a garlic-chili mayo, which basically takes it to the next level. It really. packs a flavor punch.
I’m afraid to make it again soon, I know I could eat the whole thing myself…yikes.
Dig in.
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pam says
oh my gosh!! This is the perfect mix of all my favorite things too!
Cathy says
I know, it’s an explosion of flavor.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This sounds so awesome! Yum!
Cathy says
Thx!
startcooking says
WOW! Talk about a flavor explosion! I love the mint-cilantro combination! This looks like a great recipe. The sausage is a surprising addition. Is it added hot to the salad?
(My local Vietnamese restaurant puts a huge pile of mint, cilantro and bean sprouts on the table for you to garnish their fabulous chicken soup. All winter the lines are out the door for this soup…)
Cathy says
Yes, add the sausage hot.
Barbie with a T says
A few of my favorite things also! I am getting sort of tired of “salad” because that has been a regular meal for me all summer long….but the addition of bread takes it to a higher level the siraracha kicks it up a notch! Almost a complete turnaround from my regular salads. Thanks for this one.
Cathy says
You will love it Barbie!
natalie@thesweetslife says
this is such a creative meal! I love it! We eat a lot of panzanella salads and I like the idea of trying a new spin on it!
Cathy says
Thanks Natalie, it really does have a lot of flavor.
Minnie(@thelady8home) says
Fabulous!!! That looks awesome. So flavourful. 😀
Cathy says
Thanks Minnie.
Anna says
This sounds amazing! I am going to save it for a day when I’m splurging on carbs.
Cathy says
Good idea because you can’t stop eating it.
Lea Ann (Cooking on The Ranch) says
Good Grief this sounds good. I know I need to make this one, but I also need to make a Panzanella salad and a Bahn Mi sandwich … I’ve never had either.
Kristina says
Cathy this is simply genius! next time you make it, let me know and I can come make sure you don’t have to eat the whole thing … ahem 😉
Sara Tetreault says
Cathy, I love mixing nationalities in my cooking and I also love banh mi sandwiches! If you ever get into the big city ;), we should go to my favorite little Vietnamese spot. They have great sandwiches and they sell their baguettes which are so crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.
Looks great!!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I’m totally intrigued by this salad! Definitely going to have to try it!
Pam says
Oh Cathy – that looks and sounds incredible!!!
Chantel G says
Awesome flavors, Cathy! This was sooooo nummy! Thank you, thank you! (Your Bahn Mi Burger was also delish, btw.) I think it’s the spicy mayo that puts both dishes over the top for me. 🙂
Cathy says
Thanks for letting me know!
Amber @ Amber the Baker says
Cathy,
Just made this last night for supper and it was INCREDIBLE!! It tasted like all my favorite Thai flavors mixed in a delicious bread salad. Very reminiscent of Thai summer rolls, but with a twist. Thank you for this genius recipe!!
Cathy says
So glad you liked it, we devoured it here…so much flavor!!
Anne says
Those two foods are my favorites,too! I made this last night and it was absolutely heaven. Could eat this every day! It is a fun dish to make. Thank you, Cathy!!!