Yesterday I posted the recipe for my favorite paleo sweet potato fries. Being that it is a paleo recipe, I wanted to serve it with a paleo sauce. This is how my mind works. Exciting, isn’t it?

So I whipped up a quick garlic lime dipping sauce. And yes, it’s paleo.

When we did strict paleo last year I noticed that homemade mayonnaise was a must. It is used to make yummy sauces and dressings. But, I had to do a lot of research before I could jump in…why? Homemade mayonnaise has a raw egg yolk in it. Yes it does. I know. I know.

I did a lot of research on raw egg yolk before committing. What did I find? Basically if you are NOT a small child or an elderly person, the chances of a raw egg yolk hurting you is extremely small. Everything I have looked up on egg yolks basically says, you’ll be fine. Not to mention smoothies typically call for egg yolks and so do most caesar dressings.

What is dangerous is the egg white. Which is why you can buy pasteurized egg whites at the store. But that is another story for another time. If you want to know more about egg yolks you should read what Mark Bittman has to say. He dedicated a whole section in his book How to Cook Everything on just eggs. This book is textbook like but a must for kitchen basics. You might even have it already. It is often given as a wedding gift.

Anyway, why am I telling you this? Because this sauce calls for mayonnaise.

If you are not eating paleo and the thought of making your own mayonnaise makes you want to throw your computer, then just use store bought mayo for this recipe 🙂

For everyone else, I will start off with my mayonnaise recipe.

So far, my absolute favorite mayonnaise recipe comes from Deliciously Organic. It is yummy. And 100% natural. Carrie’s cookbook (Deliciously Organic) is one of my go-to cookbooks in my kitchen. If you are looking to eat healthier and on a budget, I highly recommend it!

So, mayonnaise, it is a small labor of love – but totally worth it.

Paleo Mayonnaise Recipe

Get a small bowl and add one egg yolk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard.

I highly recommend Grey Poupon as your Dijon mustard of choice. I used store brand Dijon mustard for a long time, it’s cheaper! But one day I noticed a favorite cook of mine stated that quality Dijon mustard really does make a difference. So I switched to Grey Poupon and WOW, I really have noticed a difference.

NOTE: For people following a strict paleo diet, most Dijon mustards are not considered paleo. Check the label of your Dijon mustard to check. The Dijon mustard in this recipe can be omitted.

Now, whisk all the ingredients together for about 30 seconds.

Then, slowly, very slowly, like really really slowly, add light olive oil. An Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil is great for this recipe. You will need to add 3/4 cup of this olive oil, but very slowly.

I tend to drizzle a bit in while whisking and then whisk for about 20 seconds and then drizzle in a bit more and so on and so forth. It ends up taking me about 5 minutes.

If you add the olive oil too quickly you will end up with some seriously runny mayonnaise. And on that note, homemade mayonnaise will not reach the thickness that you are accustomed to from a store bought jar. Store bought mayonnaise has additives that thicken the mayonnaise as well as give it that super white color.

About super white, your homemade mayonnaise will be a light yellow color. Because there is a bright yellow egg yolk in it as well as yellow Dijon mustard. So, there. It just won’t be a pristine white. I needed to make this mayonnaise recipe like 8 times before I came to terms with that.

Once you have your mayonnaise you are ready to make the lime garlic dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries.

Dipping Sauce for Sweet Potato Fries

This recipe is a modified version of Mark Sission’s lime sauce for tilapia. I changed it up a bit to be a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries.

Grab a small bowl. We like small bowls around here 🙂

Add one minced garlic clove and the zest of one small lime.

Add 1 tablespoon lime juice from the lime you just zested.

Now add 1/3 cup mayonnaise.

Mix all together. Serve. Smile. Smiling is important. Make sure you do that.

If you used store bought mayonnaise it will be thicker and…yes, whiter. It you made your own mayonnaise it will be just as delicious but more like a sauce that you can drizzle on your fries. Exhibit A:

Print