10 minutes MIN
TIP:
I’ve used food processors and blenders to make mayonnaise, the greasy cleaning of which feels like some sort of DIY-er’s punishment. This method, using just a hand-powered whisk, is infallible, quick and doesn’t produce the bitterness that comes from the polyphenols (thought to be cancer-fighters) in the olive oil being broken by the machine blades.
Ingredients
SERVINGS: 1 Cup(s)
- 1 large room temperature (this is important) egg yolk—and if there were ever a time to use local, organic, fresh eggs, this would be it.
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice or rice vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, minced fine, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard (optional)
Preparation
1. Whisk together the egg yolk and water in a mixing bowl.
2. Use a spoon to drip a few drops of olive oil into the egg yolk and whisk vigorously. Add a few more drops and whisk again. Do this until you’ve used about ¼ cup of the olive oil and have a thick, yellow, emulsified sauce in the mixing bowl. Pour larger volumes of olive oil in, still whisking, until olive oil is gone.
3. Whisk in lemon juice, salt, garlic and mustard (if using). Adjust lemon and salt to taste. The fresh garlic will mellow over a few days.
Store: In fridge for 2 weeks
