Aïoli in Provence & French Riviera 2024

Aïoli is a kind of garlic mayonnaise. It consists of egg yolks, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil, sometimes seasoned with saffron, pepper, or other spices. It may seem simple at first, but it is special when you know how to serve it. Aïoli provençal complet is an illustration of how good something simple can be. Typically served on Fridays, it's a pile of vegetables like potatoes, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, artichoke, some seafood, and boiled eggs which are eaten dunked in aïoli. The aïoli is such a big part of Provençal cuisine that it is served during every festivity in every town, but there are also special occasions like Christmas Eve when it's served with snails and on Ash Wednesday with cod. We also recommend trying it​ in summer, when fresh garlic and other ingredients give the richest taste.