A naughty conversation on Twitter led me to scribble this post in my head. My mental ramblings often distract me from daily priorities and combine that with the power of twitter chit chat, I was pretty worthless for the rest of the day. I adore twitter hard, really hard because it’s enlightened me with new friendships and stimulating discussions that reach the far corners of the world. #Twitter #Love
Bánh Mì, the Vietnamese sandwich that has become a cultural icon, was the topic that excitedly ensued when I put out this twitter tweet to my tweeps (twitter code talk for 140 character jabber): #ShutUpDiane
The Bánh Mì yak and messages that followed was indeed mixed. My fellow Viet’s were giggling with agreement about the gringo pronunciation of our beloved sandwich. Others were more apologetic, hoping I could guide them to less embarrassment and correct pronunciation when ordering their next meat-ball, extra pate, hold-the-mayo banh mi. #sandwich #not #sex
But of course, there were the expected return messages that were more focused on the term “Bang Me” that was without any culinary, sandwich or Bánh Mì context. I think I got asked out on a few dates and some marriage proposals were thrown in the twitter message mix. #blushing but #I’mTaken
crisy edges, the way I like it
We’re all adults here (I hope) and my tweet was out of fun and love. I wasn’t really wasn’t making fun of anyone but rather, I was laughing at myself. #SillyDiane
I’ve been known to butcher my other favorite ethnic foods with many pronunciation mistakes, particularly those that go beyond 3 letters. Although I might be bilingual, I still have a life time of linguistics and language studies to pronounce even my most favorite foods respectfully: #Chiliaquiles #SoondoobuJjiggae #Epoisses #CaldoDeCameron
With this twitter conversation about the more authentic pronunciation of “Bánh Mì”, I wasn’t judging anyone’s accent. The holy spirit knows that the Vietnamese language is very difficult to learn, particularly with all the different regional tones. I’m still being corrected by my parents everyday. #Pho #Foe or #Poe?
But what I did focus on was the real meaning behind this hap-hazard pronunciation circling amongst non-Vietnamese as “Bang Me”. Then it all started to make sense to me. #LightBulb!
“Bang Me” was an emotional response to something gloriously appealing, appetizing and orgasmic-ally delicious. Yes, that’s it.
I’ve often had mind-blowing dishes that left me so elated, satisfied and spent that I’d cry out “F&$! Me, that was an amazing meal”. “Holy F*#! that was the best ____ (insert dish) that I’ve ever had!! ” Have you had these thoughts too? Admit it, I know you have. #please #me
So in the same spirit of culinary triumph that transports me to an ecstatic place, I celebrate the mis-pronunciation of Banh Mi as Bang Me. #NotKidding
Saying Bang Me, is like screaming after a 5 hour reveling feast of “F&$! Me” amazing food, drink, conversation and friendship. It’s kind of the same feeling after a long night of steamy hot…….. uh….. #BikramYoga
To make sense of all my rambling and to tame it away from #sex talk, I further made sense of the true definition of Vietnamese Bang Me by creating a recipe for it. A recipe for a Bang Me is one that makes a humble, innocent Banh Mi much more fiercely exciting. And Sexy.
A Bang Me is a Bánh Mì dressed up with a sexy, yolk dripping fried egg that humps the center of the crusty sandwich. #ForgiveMe
Doesn’t fried egg make almost anything better? Top a salad, pizza, pasta or hot rice with a fried egg and it instantly transforms the dish to Bang! Good! When ever I need to dress up a dish to it’s heightened decadent glory, I ask for it fried egg à la mode. What makes me go girl crazy is when the fried egg is lacy crispy around the edges. #PassingOut
In essence, what I’m really trying to say is that mis-pronunciations are not always bad. I myself am a creature of bad accents ( #English is my second language# ) but teach myself to look beyond that. And in this case, there is a substantial culinary meaning behind Bang Me.
Thanks to Twitter, I’ve created a recipe for a Bang Me Bánh Mì. And hopefully after reading this post, everyone will know what the heck you’re talking about.
Now if you all will excuse me, I’ll go take my much needed cold shower now. #whew!
Sincerely, #GoodGirl,
-diane
follow me on Twitter- @WhiteOnRice
The “Bang Me” Bánh Mì
P.S. How do really pronounce “Bánh Mì”? That will be my next post, with video included.
More of my Viet Recipe Mischief:
Cooking Method
Vietnamese cold cuts can be found in at Vietnamese supermarkets and delis. Normally they are rolled up in banana leaves or aluminum foil, then you slice them to your desired thickness for the banh mi. Left (light color) is Cha Lua, or pork loaf. Right (pink) is Gio Thu, or headcheese.
I like my fried eggs with crispy edges for more bite.
yes, love my egg edges just like that (above)
rich liver pate is my favorite, add extra for more flavor. Bring it on.
assembly: gather all the ingredients and go to town.
layer your fillings. I start with my favorite: headcheese (not a joke)
Go for the gold and add more cold cuts: Cha Lua
add more. you deserve it
pickled carrots and daikon for crunch, tang and bright flavors
don’t forget the cilantro or Vietnamese herbs
dash of soy sauce. But in my case, lots of it
Finally, the “Bang Me” fried egg
add more pate for fun. And flavor. Do it!
The End. Enjoy.
Print This Recipe Vietnamese Fried Egg Banh Mi Recipe (Banh Mi Trung Op La)- “The Bang Me”
Banh mi is all about the assembly and gathering all the components. Sometimes the cold cuts can be found at Vietnamese markets or you can make the meat fillings fresh. The bread is the most important factor, making sure it’s a light, crusty baguette to remain as close to a traditional Vietnamese Banh Mi as possible.
For the Banh Mi assembly (not all required):
1 french baguette (soft centered crumb, crispy crust)Vietnamese cold cuts or head cheeseOr other meat filling such as Braised Pork Belly Fried Eggpickled carrots and daikon. Recipe for carrot/daikon pickles here. fresh cilantrosoy saucepork liver patemayonnaisethin slices of chili pepperthin slices of cucumber1. Slice baguettes lengthwise. Add the ingredients that you want (or like) to the banh mi.
2. Enjoy!
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