Mayonnaise

[Charlie Arnold]

This is something I've been meaning to get round to trying to make for a long time and finally have very successfully.

1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp glucose powder (optional)
1/2 tsp dry mustard (I didn't use this)
150ml, 1/4 pint salad or olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice.

Mix it very slowly for the best results either by hand or I used my electric whisk.
Mix really well the egg and seaoning in a bowl.
Add oil drop by drop at first stirring briskly with a wooden spoon (or whisk)
When very thick add a tsp vinegar then remaining oil a little more quickly, then beat in rest of vinegar as required.
It should be thick enough to hold the impression of the spoon.

To make it creamier beat in 2 tsp of cream at the end.

Meg loves this and now has something she can really dip her chips into...... And a hell of alot cheaper than a jar of hellmans.

You could other seasoning according to taste and tolerance eg chilli, ginger, garlic. etc.

[Charlie Arnold]

Since first making this I haven't had the same results with the oil. The first Olive oil had a really nice taste but I can't remember what make it was and the latest batches haven't worked quite as well.

However I found this recipe in a french recipe book and that has been met with madam's approval so far!

It is a sauce bretonne. The recipe says mustard but if you can't have any a pinch of salt and pepper will add a bit of flavour.

stir the yolks of 2 eggs in a bowl, add a pinch of salt and pepper and a teaspoon of yellow french mustard. Then a few drops of vingegar or lemon juice. Then a few teaspoons of freshly finely chopped herbs - optional.
Have ready 2oz of unsalted butter just barely melted over hot (not boiling) water. Add this gradually to the eggs and stop stirring as soon as it has reached the consistency of mayonnaise.
I added about 6 tablespoons of double cream too.

If made in advance of eating it may go grainy as the butter coagulates so stand the bowl inside another containing a little hot water and stir until the sauce is smooth again.