BANH MI (VIETNAMESE ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES)

Ingredients (for 4 sandwiches):

1/8 tsp kosher salt (for seasoning the steak)
1/2 tsp salt (for making the pickled veggies)
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
3/4 lbs beef flank steak
2 tbs rice vinegar
1 tbs fish sauce
1 tbs low sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly and diagonally sliced
1 cup carrot, matchstick-cut
1/2 cup radish, matchstick-cut and soaked in cold water for 15 minutes (to reduce bitterness)
1 baguette, halved lengthwise and toasted
1/2 cup cilantro leaves (I skipped this because my husband doesn't like cilantro; but definitely try it with cilantro if you like them.  They add so much flavor and nice smell to the sandwiches)
(Optional) Mayonnaise
(Optional) Sriracha sauce

Direction:
1) SAUCE: In a bowl, mix well rice vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.

2) PICKLED VEGGIES: Put carrot, radish, and jalapeno pepper in a container.  Add salt and shake together in a closed container.  This process is to make the pickled veggies crunchy and reduce the bitterness of the radish.  Leave it for 15 minutes until the water comes out like the photo below.  Then wash in cold water, drain, and add 1 tbs of the sauce mixture.  

Note: If you like your radish a bit bitter, the pickled veggies are ready for you to use now.  If you like your radish bitter-free like I do, place it in the refrigerator overnight before using.  

3) Season the beef with kosher salt and pepper evenly on both sides.

4) In medium-high heat, cook the beef on both sides until the desired doneness.  I took me about 10 minutes to make it well-done.

5) Once cooked, set aside for 5 minutes before cutting them thinly and diagonally.  Avoid cutting them right away as that will release the juice from the meat and make the meat a bit drier.

6) Then toss the remaining of the sauce mixture with the meat.

7) Place the meat and pickled veggies in the baguette and eat before the baguette gets tough on you!!!!  You can also add a mixture of mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce if you'd like.  But this sauce is already really tasty.  ENJOY!!!