Almost Mayonnaise (Low-fat)

First, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover completely with plenty of cold water.

Bring the water up to simmering point and give them exactly 9 minutes from the time it starts boiling. Then cool them under cold, running water to stop them cooking any further. Now peel away the shells, cut the eggs in half and place the yolks only in a mixing bowl. You can watch how to do this in our Cookery School Video on this page.

Add a tablespoon of cold water and pound the yolks to a smooth paste with a wooden spoon. Then add the cayenne pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt, and stir in the fromage frais, bit by bit, mixing it smoothly as you go. When it’s all in, add the vinegar, check the seasoning and add more if it needs it. If you think the mixture’s far too runny at this stage, don’t worry. Cover the bowl and leave it for a couple of hours in the fridge, after which time it will have thickened. (It should, in any case, have the consistency of thickish cream, rather than mayonnaise.)

Note: To make a low-fat Tartare Sauce, after chilling the Almost Mayonnaise, add 1 small garlic clove, chopped; ½ level teaspoon mustard powder; 1 dessertspoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1 heaped tablespoon salted capers and 4 cornichons (baby gherkins), both chopped; and mix together.

Per serving: 65 kcal, Fat 3.7 g, Saturates 1.1 g, Protein 6.1 g, Carbohydrate 1.8 g.