Tea Sandwiches

[Amy Eber]

We are having a problem keeping afternoon tea sandwiches moist. Tea lasts two hours and the sandwiches are kept under a glass dome yet the different breads still tend to dry out. Obviously we cannot drape a damp towel over them once they are out on the table. I still have to try lightly misting them but would appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

[SheenaGreena]

don't know if this will work, but maybe you could individually wrap each sandwich in some butcher or wax paper? Make it pretty and tie each with some ribbon?

could be very time consuming and might actually look silly

[petite tête de chou]

Maybe if you kept a few wedges of apple (rubbed with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown) in with the sandwiches? Works for moistening hard, brown sugar.

[K8memphis]

Brush lightly with milk.

[Amy Eber]

Really? I never heard of this trick before. Have you tried it? The bread does not get soggy? Very clever. Thanks. One friend mists lightly with water.

quote=K8memphis,Jun 20 2007, 08:56 PM]

Brush lightly with milk.

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[baroness]

Brush lightly with milk.

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Those of us with milk allergies (quite common) would't appreciate this... unless there was a clear warning label.

[kbjesq]

I would try layering the sandwiches with waxed paper and slightly damp paper towels (insert the damp towel between 2 pieces of waxed paper, so that the damp towel is not actually touching the sandwiches).

Also put a damp paper towel covered with wax paper on the very bottom.

I have never tried this with sandwiches, but I use it with stacks of summer rolls all the time and it keeps the rice paper from drying out (at least for several hours). I don't see why it wouldn't also do the same for sandwiches.

The key is that you are trying to introduce some additional moisture inside the container holding the sandwiches, but not so much as to make them soggy. I find that the wax paper allows some transfer of moisture from the paper towels, but not too much.

Let us know if you find a solution. A dried out sandwich is very unappealing, for sure.

[Amy Eber]

The sandwiches cannot be put out for tea time with layers of wax paper and damp towels. That method works well during prep and there is no one who can keep running back and forth to restock every 15 miniitues so they really must stay out under a glass dome. I ran a few tests today. The miik brushing idea seems to work as does lighlty misting them with water - a trick a lot of caterers use. I am still hoping for more ideas.

I would try layering the sandwiches with waxed paper and slightly damp paper towels (insert the damp towel between 2 pieces of waxed paper, so that the damp towel is not actually touching the sandwiches).

Also put a damp paper towel covered with wax paper on the very bottom.

I have never tried this with sandwiches, but I use it with stacks of summer rolls all the time and it keeps the rice paper from drying out (at least for several hours).  I don't see why it wouldn't also do the same for sandwiches.

The key is that you are trying to introduce some additional moisture inside the container holding the sandwiches, but not so much as to make them soggy.  I find that the wax paper allows some transfer of moisture from the paper towels, but not too much.

Let us know if you find a solution.  A dried out sandwich is very unappealing, for sure.

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[prasantrin]

Change your bread--little buns will, at the very least, appear to dry out less than regular sandwich bread. Other than the suggestions already given, that's probably your best option.