Mayonnaise is a versatile condiment that adds delicious, creamy richness to sandwiches, salads, and dips.
While shop-bought options are readily available, there's always something special about making your own mayo at home.
Not only is it surprisingly easy, but it also allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a fresher and healthier alternative to the commercial varieties. In this blog post, we'll explore a simple recipe for homemade mayonnaise that you can whip up in a matter of mere minutes.
Ingredients:
1 egg (at room temperature)
1 cup of neutral-flavoured oil (such as vegetable or light olive oil)
1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Crack the egg into a blender or food processor. It's vital for the egg to be at room temperature to ensure proper emulsification.
Add the Dijon mustard, lemon juice or vinegar, and a pinch of salt to the blender.
Start blending the ingredients together on low speed. As they begin to combine, slowly drizzle in the oil in a thin, steady stream. This is the most crucial step in making mayonnaise, as the slow addition of oil helps to create a stable emulsion.
Continue blending until all the oil has been incorporated, and the mixture is thick and creamy. This should take around 1-2 minutes.
Taste your mayonnaise and make adjustments to the seasonings if necessary, perhaps introducing more salt and/or lemon juice to suit your own preferences.
Once you're happy with the flavour, you will be able to transfer the mayonnaise into a clean jar, bottle or other container with a tight-fitting lid. It will keep in your 'fridge for about seven days.
Tips and Variations:
Experiment with different oils to vary the flavor of your mayonnaise. Rape seed oil, Avocado oil, walnut oil, or even a combination of oils can add a unique, distinctive taste.
For a garlic-infused mayo, add a clove of minced garlic to the blender before blending. Or use garlic powder or garlic salt if you have no fresh garlic. But do be careful not to overdo the garlic!
If you prefer a lighter mayonnaise, you can think about substituting part of the oil with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
To make flavoured mayonnaise, try adding herbs like basil, coriander, or dill, or spices such as ground black pepper, paprika or curry powder.
Conclusion:
Making your own mayonnaise at home is not only fun and rewarding but also allows you to customise the flavour to suit your taste. With just a few simple ingredients and a blender or food processor, you can create a creamy, delicious condiment that will elevate any dish. So why not give it a try? Once you've tasted the difference, you may never go back to shop-bought mayo again!