Harissa Aioli

A traditional Mediterranean aioli is mixed with harissa paste. This recipe comes from the Northern region of Italy where they use a cooked egg and lemon-soaked egg yolks. This is delicious on just about anything. I like it with a frittata or oven-fried potatoes. It will last up to 4 or 5 days in the refrigerator.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 325 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch ground cardamom
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ¼ cups olive oil
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 3 large cloves garlic, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and lower egg into the water. Simmer for 5 minutes until soft boiled. Remove from boiling water with a slotted spoon and hold under cold running water until cool enough to handle. Peel and allow egg to come to room temperature.

Step 2

Place egg yolks in a small bowl and pour lemon juice on top; set aside.

Step 3

Peel garlic cloves and remove and discard any green sprouts running through the middle. Add garlic cloves to a blender.

Step 4

Place soft-boiled egg in the blender; season with salt and pepper. Drop in egg yolk-lemon juice mixture. Pulse a couple of times, then blend on low quickly, then blend on medium until smooth. Slowly add olive oil and blend at medium-high speed until an emulsion forms. When mixture has the consistency of mayonnaise, it is ready. Transfer aioli to a bowl; fold in harissa paste just until mixed.

Step 5

Refrigerate until use. Sprinkle with a pinch of ground cardamom before serving.