Spanish Word for Garlic Mayonnaise
The Spanish word "alioli" means garlic mayonnaise in English.
Alioli is eaten on an almost daily basis by Spanish people. This beautiful garlic rich mayonnaise is made by pounding garlic cloves in a mortar with oil being added little by little. The end result is a pungent thick pulp which experts proudly leave the wooden pestle upright, indicating the required consistency. Creamy alioli is very popular in Spain, especially when it is served as a relish with a wide variety of dishes, especially fideua, which are rice and pasta dishes.
Even though alioli is described as being garlic mayonnaise, the authentic recipe does not actually contain any egg as mayonnaise does. The fact that shops and restaurants pass off garlic mayonnaise as alioli is rather concerning.
The notion that alioli is a Catalan invention is a complete myth. It was in fact invented in Provence. It is particularly good with lamb chops. It is regarded with admiration by Proven¨als and they even claim that chanting certain songs is necessary for it to come together properly in the preparation process. In more superstitious times, a common traditional belief by the Proven¨als and Catalans was that alioli could not be made by a female at the time of her period!
