TOFU

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3 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

¼ cup soy sauce

2 heaping teaspoons Da Lat Spice

1 tub (14 ounces) firm tofu, drained and cut into ⅛-inch thick slices

Canola or peanut oil, for cooking

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PICKLED CARROTS

2 carrots peeled and cut in julienne (⅛-inch thick) or thin rounds

¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided

1 teaspoon salt

½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar

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MAYO

¼ cup mayonnaise

¼ teaspoon Sicilian chile flakes, lightly crushed, more to taste

½ teaspoon rice vinegar

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TO SERVE

6 French rolls or 1 baguette, cut crosswise into 6 pieces

Sliced cucumbers

Fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, basil

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1. Marinate the tofu: Put the oil, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and Da Lat Spice into a large bowl and whisk to combine. Pat the tofu slices dry with a tea towel and put them into the marinade. Gently turn the slices over so that all sides are coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

2. Make the pickled carrots: Put the carrots into a non-reactive bowl, add 1 teaspoon of the sugar and the salt, toss to mix together. Set aside until the carrots glisten and the sugar and salt are dissolved, at least 10 minutes and up to an hour.

3. Run cold water into the bowl and use your hand to swish the carrots around for a minute. Drain in a fine-mesh strainer. Wipe out the bowl. Squeeze excess moisture from carrots.

4. Put rice vinegar and the remaining ¼ cup sugar into the bowl and add ½ cup water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the carrots and toss to combine. Set aside at room temperature or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge if not using right away.

5. Make the mayo sauce: Put the mayonnaise, Sicilian chile flakes, and rice vinegar into a small bowl. Stir until smooth and combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

6. Cook the tofu: On the grill: Heat the grill to medium-heat and brush it with oil. Lay the tofu slices directly on the grill and cook each side until grill marks show, about 2 minutes each side. On the stove: Put a tablespoon of oil into a large, non-stick skillet set over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the tofu slices to the pan and cook until golden, about 2 minutes each side.

7. Assemble the sandwiches: Cut the rolls or baguette pieces lengthwise (leaving a small hinge) and open them like books; spread some mayo sauce on each side. Fill the sandwiches with two or three pieces of tofu topped with some of the pickled carrots, sliced cucumbers, and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

NOTE : Da Lat Spice contains cocoa nibs, coffee, black pepper, star anise, ginger, coriander, turmeric, cassia.