Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a versatile condiment made primarily from oil, egg yolks, and either vinegar or lemon juice. It has a creamy texture and a rich, slightly tangy flavor, making it a popular addition to various dishes. Here's how mayonnaise is commonly used in cooking:

Sandwich Spreads: Mayonnaise is a staple ingredient in sandwiches, providing moisture and flavor. It can be used as is or mixed with other ingredients like herbs, spices, or sauces to create flavored spreads.

Salad Dressings: Mayonnaise serves as the base for many salad dressings and sauces, including ranch, Caesar, and thousand island. It can be thinned with vinegar or lemon juice and seasoned to taste.

Potato and Pasta Salads: Creamy potato salads and pasta salads often use mayonnaise as the primary dressing ingredient, mixed with mustard, herbs, and spices for flavor.

Dips: Mayonnaise can be combined with ingredients like sour cream, yogurt, and various flavorings to create dips for vegetables, chips, and fried foods.

Cole Slaw and Other Slaws: Mayonnaise is used in the dressing for cole slaw and other slaw variations, providing a creamy consistency that coats the shredded vegetables.

Baking: Surprisingly, mayonnaise can be used in baking, particularly in cakes, to add moisture and tenderness. The oil and eggs in mayonnaise make it a good substitute for butter and eggs in certain recipes.

Aioli: Although traditional aioli is made from garlic and olive oil, many modern recipes include mayonnaise as a base, adding garlic and sometimes lemon juice to create a quick version of this flavorful sauce.

Binding Ingredient: Mayonnaise is used as a binder in dishes like tuna salad, chicken salad, and egg salad, helping to hold the ingredients together.

Grilled Cheese: Spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread before grilling can create a crispy and flavorful crust, offering an alternative to butter.

Marinades: Mayonnaise can be used in marinades to help tenderize meat and keep it moist during cooking. It also helps seasonings stick to the meat.

Sushi: In Japanese cuisine, mayonnaise is used in certain types of sushi rolls and dishes, like spicy tuna rolls, where it's mixed with sriracha or other hot sauces.

Fish and Seafood: Mayonnaise can be spread on fish or seafood before baking or broiling to keep it moist and add flavor. It can also serve as a base for tartar sauce.

When using mayonnaise in cooking, it's important to consider its flavor and how it will complement the other ingredients in the dish. Mayonnaise adds richness and depth to recipes, making it a beloved ingredient in both home and professional kitchens.