Creamy Ginger Garlic Aioli Dip

Ginger Aioli

Cook Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Description

This delightful and creamy Ginger Aioli is a flavor-packed dipping sauce with a distinct Asian influence, perfect for seafood lovers and veggie enthusiasts alike. With its hint of ginger and garlic, this aioli pairs beautifully with crab cakes, fish cakes, and a colorful array of fresh vegetables. For an eye-catching presentation, consider hollowing out a small purple cabbage to serve this aioli; the bright, bold colors of your vegetables against the purple cabbage and creamy sauce will look truly stunning. Plus, the aioli can be made a week ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly!

Ingredients & Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information (per serving, total yield 2 cups)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by grating the fresh ginger and mincing the garlic cloves. You’ll want both the ginger and garlic to be finely grated and minced to fully release their flavors in the aioli.

2. Mix the Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, grated ginger, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and cayenne pepper. Using a whisk or a spoon, thoroughly combine the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

3. Chill the Aioli: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the aioli to an airtight container. Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This chilling time will allow the flavors to blend and intensify, creating a thicker, more flavorful aioli.

4. Serve and Enjoy: Once the aioli has chilled and thickened, serve it with your choice of accompaniments. It’s delicious with crab cakes, fish cakes, and an array of fresh vegetables such as mushrooms, baby corn, daikon radish slices, sugar snap peas, baby carrots, yellow bell pepper slices, and cherry tomatoes.

5. Optional Presentation Tip: For a stunning presentation, consider hollowing out a small purple cabbage and placing a bowl of the aioli inside. The vibrant colors will create an inviting and elegant serving arrangement, perfect for special gatherings or simply adding a touch of flair to your table.

6. Storage and Make-Ahead Tip: This ginger aioli can be prepared up to a week in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To maintain the freshest flavor, avoid exposure to air.

Additional Notes

• Freezing Ginger: For a quick and easy way to use fresh ginger, you can freeze ginger knobs for future use. Simply freeze each knob individually by placing each piece in a small sandwich bag, then gather all bags into a larger freezer bag. The ginger peels easily with a knife while still frozen and can be grated using a microplane for quick preparation.
• Cooking Time: The cooking time here refers to the chilling period, which is essential to bring out the flavors fully.

Serving Suggestions

This aioli works wonderfully as a versatile dip, dressing, or sauce for countless dishes. For a seafood platter, use it as a dipping sauce alongside crab or fish cakes. Or, prepare a fresh vegetable tray with a rainbow of colors to serve as an appetizer or snack. The creamy texture and the balance of tangy, spicy, and aromatic notes make it an irresistible complement to crunchy vegetables and seafood alike.

Tips for Best Flavor

• Garlic and Ginger: For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and ginger instead of powders or jarred versions.
• Adjusting Spice: If you enjoy a spicier aioli, add a little more cayenne pepper or a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
• Consistency: If your aioli is too thick, stir in a small amount of water or additional lemon juice to achieve your preferred consistency.

Enjoy this zesty, creamy Ginger Aioli that enhances any meal or snack, adding a delightful Asian twist to your favorite dishes!