Simple Rules for Better Sandwiches | Techniquely with Lan Lam

Summary

In this video, the host shares essential tips for elevating your sandwich-making skills by focusing on three key concepts: the treatment of bread, contrasting flavors and textures, and proper assembly. Viewers learn how to balance bread and filling, prevent sogginess, and enhance flavors through creative pairings. Techniques such as griddling bread and using pickled ingredients are highlighted to maintain texture and prevent slippage. With practical examples and strategies, the video encourages creativity and thoughtful construction, ensuring delicious sandwiches that impress.

Takeaways

• 🍞 Bread should make up about a quarter of the sandwich for balance and stability without overwhelming the filling.
• 🥖 For crusty breads like baguettes, consider hollowing out the interior to create a trough for the filling, enhancing structure.
• 🔥 Toasting adds texture, but griddling can provide a richer flavor while keeping the bread moist.
• 🌈 Aim for contrasting flavors and textures in your fillings to create a more interesting sandwich experience.
• 🧂 Season raw ingredients, like tomatoes or avocados, with salt or acid to enhance their flavors.
• 👩‍🍳 Assembly matters: layer ingredients thoughtfully to ensure the sandwich holds together while eating.
• 💧 Apply oil or butter to bread to prevent sogginess from juicy fillings and maintain texture.
• 🥗 Use items like pickled vegetables or mustard-mayo blends to elevate flavors and keep sandwiches exciting.
• 🌶️ Consider incorporating ingredients that provide both flavor and texture, such as kimchi for spice and moisture.
• 🧄 Keep make-ahead components, like pickled avocados and sumac onions, on hand for quick sandwich assembly.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video regarding sandwiches?

The video focuses on teaching viewers concepts to improve their sandwich-making skills rather than simply demonstrating how to make specific sandwiches.

What are the three key concepts the video emphasizes for making sandwiches?

The three key concepts are the treatment of the bread, contrasting flavors and textures, and the assembly of the sandwich.

How should bread be treated to ensure a good sandwich structure?

Bread should make up about a quarter of the sandwich to provide structure without overwhelming the filling. It's also advised to remove some interior from crusty breads and consider toasting or griddling.

Why is contrasting flavors and textures important in sandwich making?

Contrasting flavors and textures create a more interesting and enjoyable eating experience, as they balance each other and enhance the overall flavor profile of the sandwich.

What techniques can be used to prevent sogginess in sandwiches?

To prevent sogginess, you can toast the bread, drain wet ingredients, or apply a layer of oil or butter to the bread to create a waterproof barrier.

What role does seasoning play in the filling of a sandwich?

Well-seasoned fillings enhance the overall flavor of the sandwich. Using ingredients like salt and vinegar can elevate the taste of the filling significantly.

What should you consider when assembling the layers of a sandwich?

When assembling, consider the textures of the ingredients. Use 'grippy' items like lettuce between slippery items like tomatoes to help the sandwich hold together.

How can one enhance a sandwich using additional condiments or items?

Keeping items like pickled avocado, Dijonnaise, and sumac onions on hand allows for quick flavor enhancements that can elevate the overall taste of a sandwich.

What is the benefit of pressing a sandwich?

Pressing a sandwich helps to compact the ingredients, making it easier to eat and preventing components from slipping out, while also allowing flavors to meld.

What are some examples of contrasting flavors and textures provided in the video?

Examples include the chewiness of bread paired with tenderness from egg, the crispness of crust against juiciness from tomatoes, and savory tuna balanced with the acidity of pickles.