Almond Mayo

(based on Marcona Almond Mayonnaise from www.elanaspantry.com)1/8-1/4 cup Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar1 ¼ teaspoon Raw Organic Honey½ cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil4+ tablespoons either Marcona Almonds OR Raw Organic Whole AlmondsBegin with smaller amount of vinegar and pour into blender.  Add honey and blend on high for 20 seconds until combined.With motor running on medium or high, drizzle in the olive oil to create an emulsion.If you don’t get the emulsification, the almonds will thicken up the mixtureCrush the 4 tablespoons of almonds as much as possible before placing them in the blender either by pounding gently with a mallet or rolling pin on a cutting board under a dishtowel or pulsing in a food processor as much as needed.Place crushed almonds in the blender with vinegar mixture-pulsing and blending alternatively-then check for thickness and texture.If necessary, blend in another tablespoon or more of crushed almonds, until thick and creamy.  Feel free to add a bit more vinegar, depending on your preference.RECIPE NOTES FROM SHERYL SOUP -A mayonnaise substitute that’s good for me AND vegan?  Okay – I gave it a shot.  Since I couldn’t find Marcona almonds on Martha’s Vineyard, I used the raw organic almonds which were available with success.   I definitely found that crushing the almonds helped as a standard blender will not break them down on its own as successfully.   I was certainly surprised that the results were more than acceptable!  I’m a finicky mayonnaise person, but wanted a healthy alternative to those ingredients listed on the mayonnaise jar.  This is a great recipe and I encourage you to try it yourself.  Use it as a spread on sandwiches, in dip recipes, salad dressings – basically, wherever mayonnaise is called for.Sheryl’s SURPRISE BONUS RECIPE:  During my experimenting using different ingredients for this recipe, I stumbled upon a great salad dressing.  If you substitute 4 tablespoons of Organic Almond Butter instead of the raw almonds, you will find a delicious dressing for any green salad – just add a bit of sea salt and pepper and you’ll be all set.  My dinner guests all wanted to know “what is in this salad dressing” – it has been a staple in my kitchen ever since…  Also, try it with some ginger and sesame oil on organic rice noodles with some veggies – what a treat!Image credit: scaredy_kat