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Rouille

Rouille a spicy mayo of roasted red peppers garlic egg yolk olive and vegetable oil smoked paprika lemon juice and salt...
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food styling by Kaitlin Wayne

This vibrant, spreadable Provençal sauce is rich and garlicky, with a bright, citrusy lift from fresh lemon juice and a touch of smoky paprika that adds depth. Best of all, it comes together in the blender in seconds. Beyond being the ideal topping for bouillabaisse, it’s prime for slathering on toast points to serve with all manner of soup. But don’t stop there. Spread it on an English muffin and top with a poached egg. Serve as a sauce with roasted potatoes or grilled asparagus. Brush it atop a meatloaf before giving it a final broil. Once you have rouille on hand, you’ll think of a million ways to use it.

Tips for making rouille

Can I make this without raw egg yolks?
This rich French sauce won’t have quite the same impact if made without the egg yolks, but you can substitute about ⅓ cup mayonnaise if you plan to serve this dish to someone who can’t consume them.

Help! My sauce broke!
If your emulsion separated, it could mean that you added too much oil, or you simply added it too fast. You can simply blend it longer, or, if that doesn't work, try adding cold water, 1 tsp. at a time until it reemulsifies.

Can I make this without a blender?
You’ll need something to process the roasted pepper into a paste. A food processor can easily do that, and you can certainly make the entire sauce in it. Otherwise, if you have the patience to chop the pepper and garlic until they are completely broken down, you can make this sauce in a bowl with a whisk. Whisk everything except for the oils together, then stream the combined oils slowly, while whisking, until the sauce is combined and emulsified.

How do I make it spicier?
Use smoked hot paprika or add a pinch of cayenne.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    5 minutes

  • Yield

    about 1 cup

Ingredients

1 garlic clove
½ cup roasted red peppers from a jar
¼ cup vegetable oil
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 large egg yolks
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp. smoked paprika

Preparation

  1. Blend 1 garlic clove, ½ cup roasted red peppers from a jar, ¼ cup vegetable oil, and 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a blender on high until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Add 3 large egg yolks, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, and ¼ tsp. smoked paprika and blend just until combined.

    Do Ahead: Rouille can be made 2 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

    *Raw egg is not recommended for infants, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems...or people who don’t like raw eggs.

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