Amazing cuisine often springs from the history of a country having been ruled by another, often through the ravages of war. This is true in the case of Vietnam’s delicious French baguette sandwiches.

Imagine crusty, light as air baguettes lathered in home made mayonnaise and filled with Vietnamese pickled carrots and daikon radishes, fresh cilantro and spicy jalapeo peppers. A little sauce is sprinkled on and then the sandwich is personalized to your taste.

You can easily make your own pickled vegetables. Peel carrots and daikon and chop into thin matchsticks. Marinate these in a dressing of cup of rice wine vinegar, teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt. Let the vegetables sit in the dressing for at least 2 hours and then use what you need for your sandwiches and store the remainder in the refrigerator. These will stay fresh for about a week; chances are you will use them before they are tired.

Use these instructions as a basis for your sandwich and then create your own masterpieces. Add french pate or asian barbecued pork, choose tofu or additional vegetables. What ever sandwich you build you will enjoy this wonderful fusion of flavors that say this is French, no this is Vietnamese…