Easy Lebanese Toum - 4 Ingredient Vegan Garlic Aioli

Lebanese cuisine is a treasure trove of bold flavors and aromatic dishes, and at the heart of many of these culinary delights lies a simple yet extraordinary condiment: toum. This creamy garlic sauce, often compared to garlic aioli without mayo, making it a vegan delight that can transform any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, toum's versatility makes it an essential addition to your kitchen repertoire. Let me show you how to make garlic aioli without mayo!

What is Toum?

Toum, pronounced "toom," is a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce made from a few basic ingredients: garlic, oil, lemon juice, and salt. The garlic is what acts like the egg and emulsifies the oil and water into a delicious sauce that packs a potent garlic punch. Its texture is smooth and creamy, similar to mayonnaise, but it’s completely egg-free, making it a perfect vegan alternative. In my recipe, lime juice is used rather than lemon since I , as a vegan latina, love the taste of green lime.

The Basics of Making Toum

Creating toum requires patience and a bit of technique, but the results are well worth the effort. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled and with the middle bulb removed.

• 3 cups neutral oil (like sunflower or canola oil)

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, blend the garlic and salt until finely chopped.

2. While the processor is running, slowly add the oil in a thin, steady stream, alternating occasionally with the lemon juice, until the mixture emulsifies and becomes fluffy.

3. Continue blending until all the oil and lime juice have been incorporated and the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.

Elevate Your Vegan Dishes with Toum

Toum's intense garlic flavor and creamy texture make it a versatile condiment that can enhance a variety of dishes from different cuisines around the world.

1. As a Dip: Toum makes an excellent dip for fresh vegetables, pita bread, or even crispy falafel. Its bold flavor pairs perfectly with the crunch of fresh produce, making it a healthy and satisfying snack.

2. Sandwich Spread: Spread toum on your favorite vegan sandwiches or wraps for an extra layer of flavor. It complements a range of ingredients, from grilled vegetables and avocado to chickpea patties and tofu.

3. Marinade and Sauce: Use toum as a marinade for tofu, tempeh, or seitan. Its strong garlic flavor penetrates the protein, making every bite deliciously savory. Additionally, you can drizzle toum over roasted vegetables or grain bowls for a creamy, garlicky finish.

4. Salad Dressing: Thin out toum with a bit of water or additional lemon juice, and you have a fantastic garlic dressing for salads. It pairs especially well with robust greens like kale and spinach or in a Mediterranean-style salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives.

5. Pizza and Pasta: Move over traditional tomato sauce; toum is here to add a new twist to your pizza and pasta dishes. Spread it on your pizza crust before adding toppings, or toss it with pasta and roasted vegetables for a garlicky delight.

6. Flavor Enhancer: Stir a spoonful of toum into soups, stews, or even hummus to boost the flavor. Its rich garlic taste can elevate a simple dish to new heights.

Lebanese toum is more than just a garlic sauce; it’s a versatile condiment that can enhance a wide array of dishes. Its rich, creamy texture and bold garlic flavor make it a favorite among garlic lovers and a staple in vegan kitchens. Whether you’re dipping, spreading, marinating, or drizzling, toum brings a burst of flavor that can transform any meal.

So, next time you’re looking to add a little something extra to your dish, reach for the toum and let its versatility inspire your culinary creativity.