Tofu Banh Mi

• 1 (14-ounce) package water-packed firm tofu, drained
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/4 cups (3-inch) matchstick-cut carrot
• 1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 julienne-cut green onion
• 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 (12-ounce) loaf French bread
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
• 2 jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced

1. Cut tofu crosswise into 8 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. Arrange tofu on several layers of paper towels. Top with several more layers of paper towels; top with a cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan. Let stand 30 minutes. Remove tofu from paper towels.
2. Combine soy sauce and ginger in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Arrange tofu slices in a single layer in soy mixture. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning once.
3. Combine vinegar, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Add carrot and next 4 ingredients (through cucumber); toss well. Let stand 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain carrot mixture through a sieve; drain thoroughly.
4. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove tofu from marinade; discard marinade. Pat tofu slices dry with paper towels. Add tofu slices to pan; saute 4 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden.
5. Preheat broiler.
6. Cut bread in half lengthwise. Open halves, laying bread cut side up on a baking sheet. Broil 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Place tofu slices on bottom half of bread; top with carrot mixture, cilantro, and jalapeno slices. Top with top half of bread. Cut loaf crosswise into 6 equal pieces.
7. Wine note: The herbaceous quality of Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($11) echoes the jalapeno peppers and green onions in our Tofu Banh Mi, while the wine's lemony acidity helps it stand up to the rice vinegar-pickled vegetables. -Jeffery Lindenmuth

water, soy sauce, fresh ginger, rice vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, matchstick, shiitake mushroom, freshly ground black pepper, julienne, cucumber, canola oil, bread, fresh cilantro sprigs, peppers

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tofu-banh-mi (may not work)