A bright burst of flavor in every bite!
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Traditionally, aioli is a sauce made in the Provence area of France and in Catalonia. In the local languages, the ai refers to the garlic, and the oli to the oil – the two main ingredients in this delicious sauce. This recipe, however, simply calls for mayonnaise, which already contains oil. Aioli can brighten up many foods. In the States, we typically find it used as a spread on burgers, or as a dip for fries, or for raw or cooked veggies of many types.
This lemon aioli is simplicity itself, but tastes like you’ve been to chef school. When you want that little something more—more flavor, more garlic, more lemon—this recipe is the answer, delivered in minutes. The importance of quality ingredients cannot be overstated here. Use the best mayonnaise. Not sure what that is? Then it’s time to do a taste test. Don’t waste another minute of your life not knowing what the best mayonnaise is! Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly minced garlic for best results.
Here are just a few ideas to get you started in incorporating aioli into your culinary delights. How about a little slice of heaven with dipping these Greek Fries into your aioli? Or spread it on a toasted bun for this Chicken Pesto Sandwich. Your Crispy Asparagus will thank you for setting it next to lemon aioli on the plate, too.
Is Lemon Aioli Healthy?
Lemon juice and garlic are incredible health foods. Garlic is a prebiotic, which you need daily to feed the good bacteria in your gut. Lemons meanwhile, provide vitamin C, an antioxidant, and are good for digestion, and combatting inflammation. So both garlic and lemons are excellent for your immune system and overall health.
Mayonnaise varies wildly in quality and ingredients, so reading the label will give you an idea of the health benefits. Or possibly concoct your own Homemade Mayonnaise, which is possible to make vegan with a plant-based fat, and vinegar.
Which herbs and spices could I add?
There are so many options for fresh and dried herbs or spices to add, only limited by your creativity with what you are serving alongside the aioli. Tarragon will work well with lemon aioli in just about anything you can dream up. Try it with fish, chicken, or vegetables. Tarragon’s health benefits are myriad, probably why it’s been used for hundreds of years in French cooking. Horseradish can be added to your liking, especially for meat or fish dishes. If you’d like it spicier, add some hot sauce or sriracha. If you are using it to replace plain mayonnaise for chicken, egg, or tuna salad, use what you typically would with those foods. Possibilities include paprika or celery salt.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine
Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, zest, and garlic.
Season
Add salt to taste and blend.
Chill
Refrigerate to meld flavors.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Lemon aioli can be made up to 2 weeks ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. During those 2 weeks, you are going to decide so many dishes will be better with a tad of aioli, so you’re probably not going to have any left after 2 weeks anyway! It’s a strong garlicky concoction, so a glass jar or dish with a tight-sealing lid will keep the flavor in, and keep it out of other foods in the fridge.
Substitutes for the lemon include limes, oranges, or other citrus.
White vinegar can replace citrus as well, a nice option for those with citrus allergies.
Always! In my opinion. Garlic is half the point, here. The recipe calls for 1 clove, which is approximately 1/2 tsp. when it’s minced and smashed. Since the size of garlic cloves is variable, go with taste.
Serving Suggestions
Lemon aioli is going to be a condiment you can’t live without. Try it with Baked Hamburgers, Roasted Red Potatoes and Poached Fish. Of course, fries will always be the go-to for sauces like this, so don’t miss the opportunity to try this aioli with Homemade French Fries, Shoestring Fries or Butternut Squash Fries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Season the aioli with salt to taste, and whisk again to incorporate.
- Cover and refrigerate the aioli for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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