A Perfect Picnic Sandwich: Piquillo-Pepper Num Pangs, Food & Wine

A Perfect Picnic Sandwich: Piquillo-Pepper Num Pangs
Food & Wine Magazine

To save time, Ratha Chau suggests spiking store-bought pesto with chiles, lime and fish sauce instead of making the pesto here.  Goes perfect with a zippy, white Italian to help offset the heat.
Piquillo-Pepper Num Pangs

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1. 2 medium carrots, julienned
2. 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3. 1 tablespoon sugar
4. 3 cups packed Thai basil leaves
5. 2 anchovy fillets, chopped
6. 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
7. 1 1/2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce
8. 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
9. 2 garlic cloves—1 chopped, 1 whole
10. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11. Salt and freshly ground pepper
12. Four 6-inch lengths of semolina baguettes or kaiser rolls, split
13. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
14. Mayonnaise, for spreading
15. Sriracha sauce, for drizzling
16. One 6-ounce cucumber, thinly sliced lengthwise on a mandoline
17. One 6-ounce jar piquillo peppers, drained
18. 12 large cilantro sprigs

1. In a medium bowl, toss the carrots with the vinegar and sugar. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour; stir occasionally.
2. In a food processor, combine the basil, anchovies, lime juice, fish sauce, crushed red pepper and chopped garlic and process to a paste. With the machine on, slowly pour in the olive oil and puree until blended. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the broiler. Spread the cut sides of the baguettes with the butter. Toast 3 inches from the heat. Rub the toasted sides with the garlic clove; spread with the mayonnaise. Drizzle with the Sriracha. Arrange the cucumber, carrots and piquillo peppers on the bottoms and garnish with the cilantro. Spread the tops with the pesto and close the sandwiches. Cut in half and serve.