What is the Story Behind the Famous Sauce and Its Original Recipe?
Mayonnaise, one of the world’s most popular sauces, has a long and interesting history. It all started back in 1756, by complete accident. Today, mayonnaise is used in countless dishes worldwide, but its creation story is both surprising and intriguing.
The tale begins with Marshal Richelieu during his military campaign. After conquering the fort of Port Mahon on the island of Minorca, he settled in the capital, Mahón. One day, Richelieu’s cook found himself without firewood to prepare a warm sauce. By chance, an egg yolk fell into oil, and the cook accidentally began whisking the mixture, which turned into a thick, smooth consistency. The cook poured this newfound sauce over the meat, and to the marshal’s delight, he loved it.
Impressed by this accidental creation, Richelieu brought the sauce back to Paris when he returned, and it became popular at the court of King Louis XV. He named the sauce “mayonnaise,” after the city where it was first created.
Mayonnaise Recipe
Mayonnaise is quick and easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. Here’s the original mayonnaise recipe you can try:
Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (8 oz) sunflower oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Make sure all ingredients are cold, preferably straight from the fridge. It’s recommended to chill the sunflower oil in the freezer for about 20 minutes before using.
- Place the egg, mustard, salt, oil, and lemon juice into a blender.
- Place the blender’s stick on the bottom and blend for about 5 seconds. (Mayonnaise used to be whisked by hand, but modern blenders make it much quicker!)
- After the initial blending, move the stick up and down, blending for another 25 seconds until the mayonnaise reaches a smooth consistency.
- Store the mayonnaise in the refrigerator and use within 5 days.
If you have trouble using the full batch within the week, consider making smaller portions. That way, you can enjoy fresh mayonnaise without worrying about wasting it.
