Grand Aioli
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5
Grand Aioli
Description
The Grand Aioli recipe relies on blending olive oil, raw egg, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and salt into a thick, creamy emulsion. Using a mild olive oil helps keep the sauce balanced and less bitter than extra virgin varieties. Saffron is an optional addition that adds a delicate aroma and golden color. The aioli is chilled and served cold alongside a variety of ingredients such as toasted bread, cooked mussels and shrimp, baby vegetables like beets, potatoes, asparagus, and radishes, as well as boiled eggs. The platter arrangement encourages dipping and sharing, making the aioli a central element that ties together these varied textures and flavors. Preparation can be made in advance, with vegetables and seafood prepped earlier and kept cool until serving.
Ingredients
aioli
- 2/3 cup olive oil recommend mild or 'pure' olive oil rather than extra virgin
- 1 large egg use pasteurized if concerned about raw eggs
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- salt pinch
- saffron a pinch, optional
grand aioli platter ~ amounts are just suggestions
- 8 lices bread toasted
- 12 mussels cooked
- 12 Shrimp cooked
- 3 golden beet baby, cooked, peeled, quartered
- 4 baby potato cooked, halved
- 2 egg cooked, halved or quartered
- 8-10 string beans raw or lightly steamed, trimmed; or yellow wax beans
- 8-10 asparagus thin, raw or lightly steamed, trimmed
- 4 baby carrot raw, trimmed and peeled
- 2 baby cucumber cut into spears
- 1 chioggia beet raw, peeled and thinly sliced; also known as candy cane beet
- 10 radish any type, trimmed; left whole or halved
- 3 mini Bell Pepper halved and seeded
- 4 cherry tomato
- 1/2 radicchio small head, cut into thin wedges; note: substitute endive leaves
Instructions
aioli sauce
- To make the aioli, put the egg, oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and saffron, if using, in a small container that just fits the head of your immersion blender. Place the head of the blender at the bottom of the jar and blend. When the mixture emulsifies and becomes thick wiggle the blender head around a bit to get all the oil incorporated. Taste the aioli to adjust the lemon juice or salt. Refrigerate until chilled. Note: this can be made a day ahead.
grand aioli platter
- If you would like to prep your ingredients ahead of time many of the veggies can be prepped and kept under a damp paper towel and plastic wrap in the refrigerator the morning before you are planning to serve. The eggs can be cooked at this time (do not slice in half yet) and the shellfish as well.
- When you are ready to serve, place the aioli in a small bowl on your platter. Arrange your veggies, fish, and crusty bread in groups around the dip.
- Serve asap while everything is nice and cold. Provide small plates and a spoon for the aioli so people can 'graze'.
Notes
- If you prefer, substitute the aioli by blending garlic, lemon juice, and salt with store-bought mayonnaise for a quicker option.
- Many platter ingredients can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator a day ahead under damp paper towels to maintain freshness.
- The aioli can be made a day before serving and chilled for convenience.
- Adjust lemon juice and salt in the aioli after blending for preferred taste balance.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 349 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 349kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 136mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 268mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 603mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1380IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 96mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.