Perfect Aioli Food

PERFECT AIOLI

Steps:

• Chop garlic, and add a pinch of salt. Mash into a paste with a knife's flat side or a mortar and pestle.
• Whisk egg yolks with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Slowly add lemon juice and water, and whisk until thoroughly blended.
• Add about 1/4 cup oil, drop by drop, whisking until emulsified.
• Gently whisk in remaining oil in a steady trickle. Stir in garlic.

AIOLI

Steps:

• Smash the garlic cloves with the side of a chef's knife and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Finely chop the garlic, using the side of the knife to periodically mash it against the cutting board, until it becomes a smooth paste. (You can also do this in a mortar and pestle.)
• To make the aioli in a mini food processor, put the garlic paste in a mini food processor, add the lemon juice and egg yolks and pulse to combine. With the machine running, add the neutral oil a few drops at a time, making sure it incorporates into the yolks and the mixture emulsifies. Once all of the neutral oil is added, scrape down the sides of the work bowl and add the olive oil in the same manner. (If the machine seems like it is working too hard or straining while adding the oil, add the tablespoon of water at this point to loosen the mixture a bit; otherwise, add the tablespoon of water once all of the oil has been added.) Mix in the cayenne. The aioli should be thick, shiny and smooth, with a spreadable consistency similar to jarred mayonnaise. If you want a slightly thinner sauce, add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional water slowly, with the machine running, until you reach the desired consistency. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• To make the aioli by hand, dampen a kitchen towel and roll up. Form the towel roll into a circle and anchor a bowl in the center. Whisk together the garlic paste, lemon juice and egg yolks in the bowl. Whisk the oils into the mixture as directed above, using one hand to add the oil drop by drop and the other to whisk constantly. Add the oil very slowly at first. Once the mixture has formed a thick emulsification, you can stream the oil in a little faster. If it gets too thick, add the water to loosen it up and continue. Mix in the cayenne.

AïOLI

Steps:

• In a small bowl pour 1 tbsp of boiling water over the saffron and set aside. Put the garlic, egg yolks and mustard into a food processor or blender. Blitz into a paste and very slowly dribble in the olive oil to make a thick mayonnaise-style sauce. When everything's come together add the saffron, saffron water and lemon juice, then season to taste. The aïoli will keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.