Let’s Discuss...Mayonnaise

Sure! One of my goals for the New Year is to "take things less seriously."

I can hardly imagine a more enjoyable topic than chatting about that often misunderstood condiment, which tends to be one of the first items discarded when people embark on their post-holiday dieting journey.

Indeed, I'm referring to mayonnaise.

You either adore it or despise it.

Allow me to share some context. I have a deep appreciation for condiments in all their varieties. Mustard is a particular favorite of mine, whether it's Dijon, brown, spicy, yellow, or even infused with horseradish. I'm also a fan of aioli, various salad dressings, olive oil, ketchup, and just about any other condiment you can think of.

I have a reputation for enjoying a sandwich that's solely comprised of condiments. To me, the true essence of a sandwich lies in the toppings. The meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato serve merely as vessels to carry the delightful flavors of the condiments.

I have a friend who won’t put any condiments on his sandwiches at all. To me, that feels like taking the frosting off a cupcake.

Mayonnaise reigns supreme among condiments. You might have a different opinion, but I have solid arguments to back up my claim.

Allow me to clarify.

I discovered mayonnaise quite late in my life. My mom often mentioned that we were using mayonnaise in our tuna salad, but I later realized that she was actually using Miracle Whip instead.

I discovered that Miracle Whip is not the same as mayonnaise. The label on the Miracle Whip jar explicitly says it is "dressing." While I'm uncertain about the exact definition of "dressing," it is clear that it isn't simply mayonnaise.

My mother would mix Miracle Whip into tuna, potato salad, egg salad, and macaroni salad, confidently referring to it as "mayonnaise." (Although we pronounced it "mannays" and never used the term "mayo").

I had faith in her.

When I was around 8 years old, I went over to my friend Colette Ogle's house for lunch. Her mom prepared tuna sandwiches for us. The moment I took a bite, I felt like my entire world had changed. What was this incredible flavor? It was by far the tastiest tuna sandwich I had ever tasted, and I made sure to let Mrs. Ogle know just how much I loved it.

I returned home and shared my experience with my mom. I told her, "Mom, you need to find out from Mrs. Ogle what ingr