The other day I was in a meeting and my coworker Candace lamented that she loathed mayo. I really felt for her. I, too, once hated the creamy condiment. I refused to eat potato or tuna salads, going out of my way to make a face when my mom happily scarfed one down. I made a stink when a sandwich maker forgot to hold the mayo on my B.L.T. (yup, I was that girl). I swore off deviled eggs. Mayo is such an easy ingredient to hate—its suffering an image problem with that off-white color and gelatinous texture—but I've also learned that it's an easy one to love.
I came around on mayo while prepping the menu for my 25th birthday party. In an attempt to prove to the world that I was a grown-up who could serve a more sophisticated dip than a tub of hummus at my party, I turned to Ina. After a quick search, I found Ina Garten's caramelized onion dip, which seemed the perfect amount of fancy. But it called for mayo. I contemplated the situation, considering how cool it would sound to serve my guests caramelized anything, and pulled up my big girl pants.
I didn't totally fall for mayo at that moment, but I did see its good side. Now I'm totally obsessed. Here's my list of reasons why I couldn't imagine life without it.
1. It's the perfect French fry companion.
Will I ever walk into a restaurant in which a server doesn't automatically assume I want a side of ketchup with my fries? For the record: I don't. Mayo isn't sweet and provides the ideal creamy texture for crispy hot-from-the-oven fries.
2. Homemade mayo is the jam.
Before you run around scoffing at mayo every chance you get (you know who you are), take a few minutes to make mayo at home. It beats out store-bought stuff with its ultra-creamy texture and full-bodied flavor. And all you need are eggs, oil, and vinegar—I know, it's sooo gross, right?!
3. American summer sides basically wouldn't exist.
Think of what you ate at your latest picnic: potato salad and macaroni salad. Thank mayo!
4. It's essential for the golden party food.
Fact: Deviled eggs prove you came to party. Don't even try to taste a chipotle deviled egg and tell me you didn't like it.
5. Fried fish would never be the same.
Dipping calamari and fish 'n chips in tartar sauce = #bliss.
6. Sriracha and mayo were meant for each other.
I realize that ordering a spicy tuna roll and drizzling it with Sriracha is the most basic of sushi orders, but it always hits the spot.
7. Three words: Baked artichoke dip.
I try to have people over without serving baked artichoke dip and I fail. It's the lifeline of the party. My tried-and-true recipe relies on an equally generous amount of mayo, cream cheese, and Parm.
8. It makes the 'B' so much better in a B.L.T.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Slather your bread in mayo and toast it in a skillet for your next B.L.T. Life changer!
9. You can make amazing cake with mayo.
Before you start squirming, think about it: The two main ingredients in mayo are eggs and oil, which are also found in cake. Using a cup of mayo in cake batter makes it more moist and gives it richer flavor.
