Making Your Own Mayonnaise at Home: A Simple Guide

Mayonnaise is a versatile condiment, enhancing everything from sandwiches and salads to dips and dressings. 

While shop-bought mayonnaise is convenient, nothing beats the flavour and satisfaction of making your own at home. 

Plus, homemade mayonnaise allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a fresher, healthier product. Here’s a straightforward guide to making your own delicious mayonnaise.

Ingredients

To make approximately 250ml of mayonnaise, you will need:

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice

250ml light olive oil or a neutral oil like sunflower or rapeseed

Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

A mixing bowl

A whisk (or an electric hand mixer)

A clean jar or airtight container for storage

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation

Before you start, ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This helps them blend together more smoothly, preventing the mixture from splitting.

Step 2: Mixing the Base

Combine the Egg Yolk and Mustard: In your mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and Dijon mustard until well combined. The mustard not only adds flavour but also acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and egg yolk blend together.

Add the Acid: Add the white wine vinegar or lemon juice to the bowl and whisk again until the mixture is smooth. This acid helps to stabilise the emulsion and adds a tangy flavour.

Step 3: Adding the Oil

Drizzle Slowly: Begin adding the oil very slowly, drop by drop at first, while whisking continuously. This initial slow addition is crucial for creating a stable emulsion. If the oil is added too quickly, the mixture may split.

Increase the Flow: Once the mayonnaise starts to thicken and emulsify, you can begin adding the oil in a thin, steady stream. Continue whisking vigorously throughout this process. If you’re using an electric hand mixer, set it to a medium speed.

Consistency Check: After adding about half the oil, you’ll notice the mixture becoming thick and creamy. At this point, you can add the oil a bit more quickly. Keep whisking until all the oil is incorporated.

Step 4: Seasoning

Add Salt and Pepper: Season the mayonnaise with salt and pepper to taste. You can start with a pinch of each and adjust according to your preference.

Taste and Adjust: Give the mayonnaise a taste. If it needs more acidity, add a bit more vinegar or lemon juice. For a sweeter touch, you can add a small amount of sugar.

Step 5: Storing

Transfer to a Jar: Once you’re satisfied with the flavour and texture, transfer the mayonnaise to a clean jar or airtight container.

Refrigerate: Homemade mayonnaise should be stored in the fridge and will keep for up to one week.

Tips for Success

Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your mayonnaise depends largely on the freshness of your ingredients, especially the egg yolk.

Stabilising: If your mayonnaise starts to split, don’t panic. You can rescue it by whisking in a teaspoon of boiling water or another egg yolk.

Flavour Variations: Customise your mayonnaise by adding minced garlic for aioli, chopped herbs for a green mayo, or a touch of paprika for a smoky flavour.

Conclusion

Making your own mayonnaise at home is a simple and rewarding process. With a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a rich, creamy condiment tailored to your taste. Whether you’re looking to elevate your sandwiches, craft a perfect potato salad, or simply enjoy the freshness of homemade, this guide provides all the steps you need.

Mayonnaise vs. Salad Cream: Unraveling the Tangy Debate

In the realm of condiments, two creamy contenders often spark debate: mayonnaise and salad cream. While they share a creamy consistency and often find themselves nestled atop sandwiches or mixed into salads, their subtle differences ignite passionate preferences among condiment connoisseurs. 

Let's get into the nuances of mayonnaise and salad cream to uncover what sets them apart.

The Basics:

Mayonnaise, a classic condiment originating from Spain, is typically made from egg yolks, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and seasonings. Its rich texture and tangy flavour make it a versatile addition to a plethora of dishes, from sandwiches to sauces.

On the other hand, salad cream, a British favourite, boasts a slightly sweeter profile compared to mayonnaise. It typically contains ingredients like vinegar, mustard, sugar, and various spices, resulting in a lighter and tangier taste.

Texture and Consistency:

One of the primary distinctions between mayonnaise and salad cream lies in their texture and consistency. Mayonnaise tends to be thicker and more indulgent, coating ingredients with a velvety richness. Its dense texture makes it ideal for binding salads and sandwiches, lending a satisfying mouthfeel to every bite.

In contrast, salad cream offers a lighter consistency, with a smoother texture that delicately drapes over salads or sandwiches. Its slightly thinner nature allows it to mingle seamlessly with ingredients without overwhelming them, adding a refreshing tanginess to each forkful.

Flavour Profile:

While both condiments share a tangy undertone, their flavour profiles diverge subtly. Mayonnaise leans towards a richer, savoruy taste, thanks to the combination of egg yolks and oil. Its creamy base serves as a canvas for the boldness of accompanying flavours, enhancing the overall taste of dishes.

Salad cream, on the other hand, veers towards a sweeter and tangier flavor profile. The addition of sugar and mustard imparts a subtle sweetness, complementing the tanginess of vinegar and spices. This unique flavour profile makes salad cream a standout choice for those seeking a lighter alternative to mayonnaise.

Versatility:

Despite their differences, both mayonnaise and salad cream shine in their versatility. Mayonnaise's creamy texture and savory flavor make it a staple in countless recipes, from creamy pasta salads to decadent aioli dips. Its ability to enhance the taste and texture of dishes makes it a beloved kitchen essential.

Similarly, salad cream's light and tangy profile lends itself well to a variety of culinary creations. Whether drizzled over fresh greens or used as a zesty sandwich spread, its versatility makes it a popular choice among those looking to elevate their dishes with a hint of brightness.

Conclusion:

In the age-old debate of mayonnaise versus salad cream, both condiments offer distinct characteristics that cater to different tastes and preferences. While mayonnaise boasts a creamy richness and savory depth, salad cream delights with its lightness and tangy sweetness. 

Whether you're a purist who swears by the classic allure of mayonnaise or an adventurous foodie who embraces the tangy twist of salad cream, one thing is certain – both condiments have earned their rightful place in the culinary landscape, adding depth and flavour to dishes one dollop at a time.

My wife loves salad cream, I prefer mayonnaise. As a result, we have containers of both on the table. 

Homemade Mayonnaise: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

Introduction:

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!

Dip & Dollop in Style This Summer With New! Limited Edition White Truffle Mayonnaise from Hunter & Gather

Why not go for a touch of excellent and tasty sophistication to your summer BBQ's with New! Limited Edition White Truffle Mayonnaise from Hunter & Gather.

The brand behind the UK's first and only Avocado Oil Mayonnaise range (and the number one challenger condiment brand at Ocado) is launching a delicious truffle mayonnaise that will cater to the growing demand for super premium and fully natural condiments. 

The New! Avocado Oil White Truffle Mayonnaise is made in the UK from Avocado Oil, delicate White Truffle Oil, Pasteurised British free range egg yolk, Apple Cider Vinegar, Pink Himalayan Salt, Garlic Powder and Black Pepper, with absolutely no seed or sunflower oils, sugar, grains or added nasties.

The result is an exquisite, delicious, creamy mayonnaise that is the perfect accompaniment to summer salads, steaks, or sweet potato fries.

 Amy Moring, Co-founder of Hunter & Gather, says: “We searched high and low to find a high-quality, natural, white truffle oil for our mayonnaise, which is rarer than black truffle, which has a more subtle, garlicky flavour. 

 “The result is an exquisite, delicate truffle oil mayonnaise that's not only absolutely bursting with flavour, but is also packed with healthful, real food ingredients.

"From British Free Range Eggs to Avocado Oil with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamins, mayo lovers can be guaranteed that they are getting the best there is."

She went on to explain: “As a brand, we believe a healthier lifestyle starts with simple healthy swaps, which is why our mayonnaise range is perfect for everyone, from foodies and families looking to make healthier choices, through to those following keto or paleo lifestyles.

“We believe that this is about as special as a mayo can  get, so grab one whilst you can! Each jar is made by hand in the UK, with its own number, meaning every single one is unique and when they are gone, they really are gone.”

NEW! Hunter & Gather Limited Edition Avocado Oil White Truffle Mayonnaise is available to buy from the new Hunter & Gather app from 22nd May (today!) and online at www.hunterandgatherfoods.com from 24th May. The RRP is £10 for a 250g glass jar.

Hunter & Gather is a real food and supplements brand, founded in 2017 by dynamic entrepreneurs, Jeff Webster and Amy Moring.

It is the brand's ethos and mission is to make healthy living understandable, accessible, and enjoyable through its award-winning real food & supplements, which are always made from real food ingredients and are free from refined sugar, grains and seed oils.

Hellmann's announces their welcome to King Charles

Ahead of welcoming King Charles to the throne on the 6th May, Hellmann’s is offering celebrators the royal treatment with its stunning, special Coronation Mayonnaise!

Combining the unmistakable creaminess of Hellmann’s with fruity mango and curry powder, Hellmann’s Coronation mayo is the perfect way to add a delicious dollop of flavour to your Coronation celebratory spread. 

What better way is there to welcome the new King than to recreate a delicious and quintessentially British sarnie with Hellmann’s Coronation Mayo to add to your sandwich selection? Yum!

Hellmann’s Coronation Mayo is available to purchase in major retailers all over the country for a very reasonable RRP £2.59.

So, basically Hellmann's are telling us that no matter what delicious savoury items we intend to serve up, with the addition of Hellmann's Coronation Mayonnaise, we can upgrade them into fantastic Coronation delicacies!