Although mayonnaise was considered a luxury foodwhen it was first created, today this creamy sweet emulsion is thought of as a simple but important everyday condiment. In fact, mayonnaise is one of the most versatile condiments out there, and can be a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and even baked goods. But despite being so engrained in our daily lives, if you've ever tried making mayo at home, you know that it can be more complicated than it appears.
This is because mayonnaise is an emulsion that requires a specific balance of ingredients for it to work. If you don't get your measurements right, or add an ingredient too quickly, your mayo may end up runny. If this happens to you, don't throw the mixture out quite yet -- there is a simple solution: egg yolk. Adding another raw egg yolk and whisking the mixture once again may be all you need to fix your homemade mayonnaise. This works because egg yolk is the ingredient that acts as the glue and helps the whipped oil stay in that light and creamy mayo state.
The first thing you can do to avoid oily and runny mayo is to start with a good homemade mayonnaise recipe. However, even if you follow the measurements of the recipe to a tee, if you accidentally add the oil too quickly while whisking the emulsion won't form properly and you'll end up with an oily clear liquid instead of a thick white cream.
To fix this, add in another raw egg yolk and start whisking the mixture together. If the mixture starts to thicken after adding the yolk, that means it is working. Once this happens, you should start slowly adding more oil while continuously whisking. You will likely need to add quite a bit more oil and more seasonings because adding another egg yolk is essentially doubling the recipe. Although it sounds counterintuitive, adding more oil can also help thicken the mayonnaise. Also, if you end up with mayo that is too thick, you can always add a little water to thin it down.
However, if you add another egg yolk and the mixture still isn't thickening, then the problem with the mayonnaise was probably nothing to do with the emulsion. It was likely the balance of other ingredients. If that's the case, you can try some thickening methods that don't involve eggs.
Eggless Ways To Thicken Mayonnaise
If the egg didn't work to thicken your mayonnaise -- or you are all out of eggs -- don't worry. There are a few other methods you can use to thicken up mayo that isn't cooperating. One option is to use a classic thickener like cornstarch. To do this, combine a little bit of cornstarch with water until it forms a paste and then add it into your runny mayo. Then, whisk the cornstarch together with the mayonnaise to combine and thicken. You can also use arrowroot powder in the same way.
Another option is to add other ingredients that contain natural emulsifiers such as mustard or lemon juice. Add these two ingredients one teaspoon at a time and then keep whisking. Of course, you want to make sure to not add too much lemon juice or mustard as it will change the flavor of your mayonnaise.
Once your delicious homemade mayo is ready, make sure to put it in the fridge where it will thicken up a bit further and stay preserved. Homemade mayo doesn't have the added preservatives that the store-bought version has, so it is important to keep it in the fridge as much as possible.
Adding another raw egg yolk and whisking the mixture once again may be all you need to fix your homemade mayonnaise. This works because egg yolk is the ingredient that acts as the glue and helps the whipped oil stay in that light and creamy mayo state.
On the contrary, if your mayonnaise is too runny or doesn't set because you've added cold ingredients, simply add another egg yolk, strictly at room temperature.
A common way to thicken homemade mayonnaise is to gradually add more oil while continuously whisking the mixture. Another method is to add a small amount of dijon mustard, which can help to emulsify the ingredients and give the mayonnaise a thicker consistency.
If you're not fully satisfied with the consistency of the condiment, begin adding water while the mayonnaise is still being mixed. Adding more water as the mixture is in motion promotes emulsification, while also helping to thin out the mayonnaise for an improved texture.
Thickeners. A wide range of water-based gelling and thickening agents are used in mayonnaise products with the most common being modified starch, xanthan gum, and combinations of these. Guar gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, and gelatin are also applied.
I simply add the flour to a non-stick pan, and over medium heat, stirring constantly to cook-off the 'raw' taste of the flour, add cool stock to a hot roux (or hot stock to a cool roux), whisking constantly for a few minutes until the thickening is achieved. Then, proceed with the rest of your recipe.
Sometimes when jars or bottles have not been used for a while there may be some liquid that appears on the surface of the product. If this does happen, please shake your bottle well, or stir your mayonnaise well before using. As long as your product is still within its open shelf life your product is still good to eat.
That said it is also a method with little to no margin of error for the consistency; it is completely possible to overmix mayonnaise when making it at such a high speed. If that happens thin it out with water while mixing with a wire whisk.
Important: If mayonnaise doesn't thicken: 1- Start the process by using a small amount of the thin or broken mayonnaise and emulsify with the remaining oil. 2- Add alternately the remaining mixture that has not thicken and oil. 3- Use more oil than the recipe calls for if necessary.
Along with the egg yolk, mustard helps emulsify the mixture, reducing the risk of our mayo breaking. Vinegar or lemon juice: Not only does a little acid like wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, and lemon juice add incredible flavor to the mayonnaise, it also helps to stabilize the mixture.
Add the oil in small portions at a time. When the mayonnaise thickens and become uniform in consistency, then add the lemon juice. Continue to add more oil until you have the amout of mayo that you need. If it becomes too thick you can just add more lemon juice, water or egg white.
Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
5If the mayo seems too thin, slowly stream in more oil with the processor running until thick. If it is too thick, add a teaspoon or two of cold water.
You can use sour cream in recipes that require mayonnaise by simply swapping in an equal amount. Try adding it to salads, dips, sandwiches, and spreads to give your favorite recipes a refreshing twist.
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