Garlic Mayo

Fresh garlic, lemon and olive oil bring bold flavor to this silken-tofu mayo. Unlike a traditional egg-based mayonnaise, this recipe starts with tofu and water, then calls for adding the oil gradually while the blender runs. The result is intended to be fluffy, creamy and distinctly garlicky.

This Garlic Mayo comes from page 33 of the Black Hills Health Retreat Wellness Cookbook. Its generous liquid quantities make it a substantial batch. The cookbook does not give the tofu block's weight or a finished yield, so the exact thickness will depend on the tofu you choose. The original measurements are preserved below rather than quietly adjusted to make a thicker spread.

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🌿 The Healing Ingredients

• Garlic (4 large cloves): The defining flavor. Fresh garlic gives this mayo a more assertive character than a mild sandwich spread. Peel the cloves before blending. Clove size and freshness affect intensity, so expect some variation between batches. The original recipe uses fresh cloves, not garlic powder.
• Silken Tofu (1 block): The smooth, egg-free base. Silken tofu has a delicate texture that blends readily into sauces. Use plain silken tofu, not a flavored variety. The cookbook does not specify package weight; note the size you use so you can repeat a result you enjoy. Substituting firm tofu would be a separate adaptation, not the original recipe.
• Olive Oil (¾ cup): Supplies richness and contributes to the creamy texture as it is incorporated into the blended base. Choose an oil whose flavor you enjoy in an uncooked sauce. → Shop Olive Oil, Extra Virgin, DeLallo
• Lemon Juice (½ cup): Adds a bright, tart contrast to the oil and tofu. Remove any seeds before measuring. The recipe is generous with lemon, giving the mayo a noticeably tangy profile.
• Water (2 cups): Loosens the tofu base for blending. This is the original amount, not an instruction to add water only as needed. Together with the unspecified tofu block size, it means the finished mayo may be more pourable than a commercial spread.
• Celtic Salt (to taste): Finishes the seasoning. Add modestly, blend and taste with the food you intend to serve. The card supplies no fixed salt measure.

📖 The Gradual Oil-Blending Method

The card first says to blend all ingredients, then directs you to add the oil gradually while the blender is running. To make that sequence usable, blend the ingredients other than the oil first, then incorporate the oil gradually. This clarifies the order without changing any ingredient quantities.

Follow your blender manufacturer's instructions for adding ingredients during operation. Only use a designated lid opening if your appliance permits it, keep utensils away from moving blades, and do not remove the entire lid while blending. If your appliance is not designed for adding liquid while running, follow its approved method rather than improvising.

This recipe contains several cups of ingredients. Check the blender's maximum fill line before starting. If necessary, divide every ingredient proportionally into smaller batches and combine them afterward. Gradual addition helps distribute the oil through the base, but the exact thickness is not guaranteed by a fixed blending time.

📋 The Recipe

Yield and tofu block weight are not specified in the cookbook.

Ingredients

• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1 block silken tofu
• 2 cups water
• ¾ cup olive oil
• ½ cup lemon juice
• Celtic salt, to taste

Directions

1. Blend the garlic, silken tofu, water, lemon juice and salt.
2. Gradually add the olive oil while the blender is running, using your appliance's approved method.
3. Continue blending until the mayo is fluffy.

Source note: Quantities are preserved from the Wellness Cookbook. The first step clarifies that the oil is reserved for the cookbook's subsequent gradual-addition step. No blending time or finished yield is supplied.

💡 Tips & Serving Ideas

Try a small spoonful with baked potato wedges, roasted vegetables or a vegetable-and-grain bowl. If your batch is thick enough, spread it inside a sandwich or wrap. If it is more pourable, use it as a dressing or sauce rather than expecting it to hold a stiff peak.

Let the garlic and lemon carry the flavor. A simple plate of beans, potatoes and vegetables does not need elaborate seasoning when accompanied by a bold sauce. Taste a small amount with the meal before adding more salt.

If you want to experiment with a thicker version later, record your tofu package weight and adjust the water deliberately in a separate test batch. Do not treat a reduced-water version as the original formula.

Freshness and Allergen Notes

Transfer promptly to a clean, covered container and refrigerate. Keep chilled until needed and use a clean serving spoon. Follow the tofu package's handling guidance; blending does not extend its freshness. Lemon juice does not make this homemade preparation shelf-stable.

Contains soy from tofu. It is egg-free when made with the listed ingredients, but it is not suitable for someone who needs to avoid soy.

Related Articles

For a fresh herbal option, try Cucumber Mint Dressing. For an avocado-based alternative, explore Creamy Avocado Dressing or Simple Avocado Dressing.

Part of The Healing Kitchen series at Black Hills Health Retreat.

Ingredient notes are for everyday cooking education, not medical treatment advice.