Grilled Swordfish, Homemade Mayonnaise

“Mayonnaise is one of the finest and most important sauces in classic cuisine. The shame is that few of us ever taste the kind of fresh handmade mayonnaise that deserves such culinary status – and even dedicated home cooks don’t realize that making their own is a simple process that takes only minutes and, if you use a food processor, almost no effort at all, ” Julia Child.
The Julia Child birthday tribute continues. This time with her homemade mayonnaise recipe.
Julia’s Mayonnaise in the Food Processor
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed, plus more if needed
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Big pinch freshly ground white pepper
  • Up to 2 cups vegetable oil or pure olive oil (all one or a mixture)
Put the egg yolks, egg, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and white pepper in the work bowl of the food processor; process for 10 seconds or more, until creamy.
With the food processor running continuously, pour in the oil very slowly in driblets at first, to start the emulsion process. When the sauce has definitely thickened, you may add the oil in a thin stream. Do not stop the machine at this point, but cease pouring every few seconds to be sure the oil is being absorbed. Then continue until the remaining 1 1/2 cups of oil are incorporated. Stop the machine and check the mayonnaise for taste and consistency. Adjust the seasonings.
To learn more about mayonnaise and the very interesting chemistry of many other sauces, please visit my blogger friend, YannChef at Food Lorists.

Rub the fresh swordfish with mayonnaise, fresh ground pepper, and kosher salt. Grill over medium-high heat.


Serve grilled swordfish over a smear of mayonnaise and garnish with herbs: Italian Basil, Purple Basil, Chives, Parsley, Thyme, Dill, Mint.

Moist, pretty, simple, delicious…
Thanks again, JC!

25 thoughts on “Grilled Swordfish, Homemade Mayonnaise”

  1. Beautiful! Swordfish is my favorite fish, actually. And I totally agree with Julia’s words about home-made mayonnaise. There’s no going back, once you taste it.

  2. Since I love mayo (not the other not to be named stuff) I am wondering why I haven’t tried this, bookmarking your blog and definitely making this.

    Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂

  3. That piece of swordfish looks absolutely delicious. Your presentation is like a piece of Japanese modern art or something. Wow.

  4. Hi YC – thank you, I learn so much from your site.

    HI Simona – and it is fun to use different oils and get a different flavor every time.

    Hi Kevin – looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

    Hi Ohiomom – Welcome! It is really easy, just remember to add oil painfully slow in the beginning.

    Oh thanks Tom – I think the baby herbs get all the credit.

    Hi Zita- Welcome! I am off to visit you now…

  5. This looks beautiful! I love swordfish. I should make some at home. I never think of it… or don’t see it often at the store. AND mayonnaise… Cannot sing enough of it’s glory.

  6. I like your Jimmy Buffet quote. He’s so cool. I love to listen to him, sit on the beach, and have a margarita. 🙂

    I think your dish looks delicious. I admit, I think I’ve only made mayonnaise, once, but I should make it again. It’s not difficult!

  7. Seafood with Mayonaise just adds that extra touch. And homemade amayonaise to boot. Great blog you have here.

  8. I completely agree… I’ve always wanted to make my own mayo… but then I’m afraid I wouldn’t use it all up before it spoiled.

    The swordfish recipe looks terrific!

  9. Lori, I have never been to your blog! Don’t know how I missed this! I am going wild reading the recipes and looking at these beautiful pictures!

  10. Lori Lynn, You’ve created herb art on a plate, so “eye” appealing! Not to mention your homemade mayo paired with your fish,you never cease to amaze me!

  11. That is absolutely gorgeous! I love swordfish but never make it on my own. The homemade mayonnaise is very impressive, too- I’d always heard that it was difficult to prepare. Great job again, Lori Lynn!

  12. Hi Nicole – you can’t beat a fresh piece of swordfish. I think it has to come from an excellent fishmonger, not the supermarket.

    Hi Emiline – love Jimmy, and have for 30 years! Never get tired of him.

    Hi Glamah – thank you! Fish and mayo, so simple yet sublime!

    Hi Dee- it really couldn’t be easier. But make sure to add the oil
    s-l-o-w-l-y.

    HI Lori – you can make a small batch in the little bowl of the processor. It’s worth it. You are right on the spoilage, as this recipe has raw egg.

    HI Darius T.: it could not be any simpler and definitely worth the effort to make homemade. Smearing a piece of swordfish with homemade mayo is ridiculously easy and produces extraordinary results. Let me know if you try it.

  13. Oh Poonam – you are so kind! Welcome!

    Many thanks Sharona May!

    Marie – you are so cute. Herb Art!!!

    Heather make some swordfish for your hubby! And the mayo is EASY! Just go slow on the oil.

    Thanks Oggi! It is.

    I know you would like the mayo Pink!

    Well Cynthia – I didn’t invent it. Friends of mine used to rub the fish with store-bought mayo and it didn’t appeal to me. But if you look at the ingredients in this recipe, mostly good olive oil, it makes sense. With homemade, this is really a great technique!

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