This classic sauce is the perfect match for everything from French fries to poached fish. While the traditional method requires just a bowl, whisk and elbow grease, we also tried making it in a mini food processor and it works just as well. Three cloves of garlic will produce a strong but not overpowering flavor, so scale up or down as you desire. We found a combination of half neutral oil and half olive oil strikes the right balance with a subtle olive oil flavor that’s not too grassy or bitter.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 10 min |
| Active: | 10 min |
| Yield: | about 1 cup |
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 10 min |
| Active: | 10 min |
| Yield: | about 1 cup |
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic
- Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup neutral oil, such as vegetable or safflower oil
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water, plus more if needed
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Smash the garlic cloves with the side of a chef’s knife and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Finely chop the garlic, using the side of the knife to periodically mash it against the cutting board, until it becomes a smooth paste. (You can also do this in a mortar and pestle.)
- To make the aioli in a mini food processor, put the garlic paste in a mini food processor, add the lemon juice and egg yolks and pulse to combine. With the machine running, add the neutral oil a few drops at a time, making sure it incorporates into the yolks and the mixture emulsifies. Once all of the neutral oil is added, scrape down the sides of the work bowl and add the olive oil in the same manner. (If the machine seems like it is working too hard or straining while adding the oil, add the tablespoon of water at this point to loosen the mixture a bit; otherwise, add the tablespoon of water once all of the oil has been added.) Mix in the cayenne. The aioli should be thick, shiny and smooth, with a spreadable consistency similar to jarred mayonnaise. If you want a slightly thinner sauce, add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional water slowly, with the machine running, until you reach the desired consistency. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- To make the aioli by hand, dampen a kitchen towel and roll up. Form the towel roll into a circle and anchor a bowl in the center. Whisk together the garlic paste, lemon juice and egg yolks in the bowl. Whisk the oils into the mixture as directed above, using one hand to add the oil drop by drop and the other to whisk constantly. Add the oil very slowly at first. Once the mixture has formed a thick emulsification, you can stream the oil in a little faster. If it gets too thick, add the water to loosen it up and continue. Mix in the cayenne.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 8 servings |
| Calories | 256 |
| Total Fat | 28 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 46 mg |
| Sodium | 84 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 of 8 servings |
| Calories | 256 |
| Total Fat | 28 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 46 mg |
| Sodium | 84 mg |