Historians claim that mayonnaise came about in our lives in the 1800s but as per culinary historians, mayonnaise traces its way back to 1756 as a part of a victory feast prepared by a French chef for seizing Port Mahon (the island in Minorca, Spain). The preparation was well received by the guests, including the Duke and the condiment was named ‘Mayonnaise’, after its birthplace. Veg Mayonnaise is a popular condiment widely available across the globe today. You can call it an all-purpose condiment that has blended its way into a variety of cuisines belonging to various cultures.
Veg Mayonnaise has now become a staple and a table necessity, be it dressing for salads or as a base for your sandwich. It is available in a variety of flavours – mint, sriracha, Italian herb, wasabi, and barbeque among other such interesting options you can choose from, as per your taste palette.
Be it veg/eggless mayonnaise or with egg content, it is irresistible in every available option and flavour.
Ingredients required for veg mayonnaise
To make veg mayonnaise, you will need raw, unsalted cashews (since it is eggless), dijon mustard or mustard powder, apple cider vinegar, and either sunflower oil or any other oil with a neutral flavour. Ensure that your blender is in good working condition before you start making it.
1 cup cashews
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard/mustard powder
1 pinch turmeric powder
½ teaspoon rock salt
½ teaspoon raw sugar
6 black peppercons
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
Steps to make mayonnaise without egg
Wash a cup of cashews in water thoroughly and soak it dry. Take a bowl and for about 30 minutes, soak the cashews in warm water and keep.
Drain the water and add the cashews to the blender.
Add the following ingredients: One teaspoon dijon mustard or mustard powder, half a teaspoon of raw sugar, a pinch of turmeric powder, half a teaspoon of rock salt and six black peppercorns.
One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, based on what is available at home.
Add two tablespoons of sunflower oil or any other oil with neutral flavour. If not for sunflower oil, you can also make use of grapeseed, vegetable or avocado oil. Avoid using oils with distinctive fragrances or aromas such as coconut, sesame or peanut oil.
Start the blender and while it is blending, add seven to eight tablespoons of water at intervals. Blend the mixture till it is smooth and creamy.
Empty your creamy, well-blended mayonnaise into a clean airtight container.
Different mayonnaise flavours
There is an abundance of flavour options available in the market today, be it in eggless, egg, whole egg and vegan varieties. In terms of flavour, you name it and there would be one readily available in the market. With mayonnaise, there is always room for experimentation. Although there are innumerable varieties of flavours available one can make fun experiments at home as well with it.
Add a dash of hot and sweet chilli sauce to veg mayonnaise and a drop of tobacco hot sauce, this serves as a good dip for fries and burgers. Add some minced garlic and mint to it, serves as a great dip for salted chips, crackers or bread sticks.
Take a bowl, squeeze some lime juice into it, add dollops of mayonnaise and stir it well. throw in a pinch of salt and pepper and this zesty flavour will complement well with steaks, smoked veggies or salads.
You can achieve smoked mayonnaise at home by squirting lemon juice onto a hot saucepan, then add veg mayonnaise to the saucepan, mix it well and chop a handful of basil and toss onto the mixture. It goes well with barbequed veggies, seafood entrée or platter or smoked croquettes.
How to store veg mayonnaise
Use a clean jar or airtight container to store your freshly whipped mayonnaise. If you plan to make use of the entire batch of mayonnaise then add less water to the mixture while it is being blended. If you plan on making a batch to store away then it is important to add enough water (seven to eight tablespoons). The eggless mayonnaise will stay good for about a month with this water consistency and if you deep freeze it, then it can easily be used for three months and more.
Conclusion
Eggless mayonnaise serves as a good option for vegetarians and this way they too get to taste the irresistible condiment like everybody else. It is one of the ingredient staples that are often not used to its fullest potential. Next time you take a spoonful of mayo to smear it on a slice of bread, salad, burger bun or dip, get creative and use ingredients readily available at your arm’s reach to enhance its flavour and take your dish to the next level.
FAQs
Can sugar be avoided in the preparation of veg mayonnaise?
The sugar quantity in the recipe is equivalent to negligible but if you still want to avoid it then you can instead use a sweetener of choice.
Can turmeric be skipped?
Yes, it can be skipped.
What can be substituted for Dijon mustard?
If you don’t have Dijon mustard then you can make use of grounded mustard powder but do not skip it. Mustard plays an important role in the emulsification process and in the making of eggless mayonnaise.