Rosemary Aioli

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I love a really good sandwich and over the years I've learned that a little extra effort can take a good sandwich and make it great. The best of sandwiches start with good bread and a wonderfully flavorful spread to bind the bread and filling to each other. Good bread is no longer a problem as sources for it abound, but it's a different story when it comes to sandwich spreads. While there are good commercial spreads available, they make adequate, not great sandwiches. Years ago Julia Child and her contemporaries developed recipes for blender mayonnaise. That changed the way I made sandwiches. Those early recipes have long since been retired, but I still use the blender to make a highly flavored aioli that will make your socks go up and down. I use this particular spread for roast beef and roast pork sandwiches. It is also wonderful with leftover chicken. While this is an extremely easy recipe, when you are pressed for time rosemary and garlic can be added to commercial mayonnaise for somewhat comparable results. I hope you will try this. It will make your sandwiches truly exceptional. Here's the recipe .

Rosemary Aioli...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
Mayonnaise
1 large egg yolk
1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
Pinch of black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Aioli Additions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt to taste

Directions:
1) To make mayonnaise: Place egg yolk, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in jar of an electric blender. Blend for 30 seconds. Combine olive and vegetable oil in a 1-cup measure. With motor running, slowly add 1/4 cup oil in a slow stream, blending until mixture is smooth and begins to thicken. With blender running, add remainder of oil in a steady stream.
2) To make aioli: Place 1 cup mayonnaise in a bowl. Add garlic, rosemary, pepper and salt. Mix well. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 1-1/4 cups.

Cook's Note: Tarragon can be substituted for rosemary if you prefer a tarragon flavored aioli.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Mexican Beer-Cheese Spread - One Perfect Bite
Pumpkin Butter - One Perfect Bite
Liptauer Cheese Spread - One Perfect Bite
Pimento Cheese Spread - Foodista
Orange and Chive Aioli - Fine Cooking
Garlic Lemon Aioli - Culinate

Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

This is the second in my series of recipes that utilize chicken drumsticks. Again, I'm using ingredients that are found in most homes. It helps to keep costs low. This dish was prepared for less than five dollars.

Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

Ingredients:
8 large chicken drumsticks
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
Grated zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary (2 teaspoons dried may be substituted)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon

Directions:
1) Using a knife, make two diagonal cut in each chicken drumstick. Pat dry. Season legs with salt and pepper.
2) Place butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. When hot add drumsticks and cook until all sides are brown. Add garlic, lemon zest and rosemary.
3) Combine flour, chicken broth, mustard and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add to saute pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until drumsticks are tender, about 25 minutes. Transfer drumsticks to a serving platter. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce over drumsticks. Yield: 4 servings.