Aioli is a traditional sauce used in Southern France. It belongs to the Provencal cuisine. The name Aioli comes from alh which means garlic and oli which means oil. It is also pronounced as alholi or allioli in the Occitan and Catalan dialects respectively. The aioli sauce is made using garlic, olive oil, and eggs. It is also called the garlic mayonnaise in the United States. The aioli is white in color with a smooth creamy consistency. It has a tangy taste because of the garlic. It is served at room temperature. The aioli sauce is served with fish, hard boiled eggs, vegetables, salads, and even meat.

History

The aioli had its origin in Provence, south eastern France. The people living around the Mediterranean coasts used garlic extensively, and butter was not commonly available in the region. It is believed that the aioli could have evolved because of these reasons.

Ingredients and Preparation

The basic ingredients needed for making the aioli are garlic, olive oil, mustard, and eggs.

One of the ways to make aioli is described below:

• Garlic is minced or pureed into a fine texture.
• Olive oil is added to this, and both are blended until smooth.
• Now, egg yolks and mustard are whisked together to create emulsion.
• While the eggs are being whisked, garlic/olive oil mix is slowly added to this mixture.
• When the mixture begins to resemble mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and vinegar are added to it.
• Everything is whisked together once again.
• The oil is drizzled into it and stirred.
• A small amount of lemon juice is added.
• The mixture is whisked and becomes thick and creamy.

Serving and Eating Aioli

Just before the sauce is served, lemon juice and a little cold water is added to it. It is served as a sauce for the main dish or garnishes. Aioli is also used in sandwiches and burgers. It can also be used as a dip for other foods.

Popular Variations

There are several variations of aioli adapted across the world. Some cultures do not use eggs to make aioli. With the basic ingredients such as garlic and olive oil remaining the same, other ingredients are added to it to make a variation. Some of the popular variations include red pepper aioli, chipotle aioli, green olive aioli, and herbs aioli.

Health and Nutrition Facts of Aioli

The garlic used in aioli is known to have medicinal effects. It helps lower high blood pressure in people. Garlic also has cancer-fighting properties and can help prevent some cancers from developing. It is also effective in reducing tick bites. Olive oil that goes into making the aioli has high amounts of good cholesterol, which is good for the heart. Although eggs contain a lot of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, it is also rich in cholesterol, which may not be heart healthy.

In order to avoid food-borne ailments caused by the raw eggs, the FDA recommends usage of pasteurized eggs.

Trivia

In the Provence region, aioli is made with the first garlic of the season. This is very tender and does not have an overpowering flavor.