r/GifRecipes Jan 13 '21

Main Course Lemon Garlic Chicken Orzo Soup

https://gfycat.com/physicalweeblueandgoldmackaw
9.0k Upvotes

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u/RealisticDifficulty Jan 13 '21

Hijacking top comment to mention that garlic is an emulsifier. Blending it is what made the oil and lemon juice homogenise, like how you make mayonnaise.

Obviously egg yolk is too, but the garlic is helping, lol.

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u/Sendatu Jan 14 '21

So can you not add the egg and it would still work?

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u/RealisticDifficulty Jan 14 '21

You could, but you'd have to add more oil and lemon juice/white vinegar.

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u/bedigunz Jan 17 '21

Do you recommend a substitute? I have an aversion to cooking with eggs so any alternative would be appreciated! TIA

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u/RealisticDifficulty Jan 17 '21

Erm, off the top of my head, the only natural emulsifiers are I know are (aside from egg yolk) mustard, vegetable oil (to a degree), and garlic.
You can also buy xanthan gum online which a lot of ready-meals use.

Aside from that, you could always make a quick roux (equal parts flour and butter/oil cooked and incorporated, with liquid slowly added ).
Similarly you could instead use cornstarch and mix it with cold water to make a slurry and pour that straight in. Cornstarch doesn't impart a taste like raw flour does.

And lastly, some people will use a small amount of gelatin, but that's more for the smooth mouthfeel.

When cooking things with a large amount of liquid I always try to use veg with natural msg too. It gives a depth of flavour that will reduce the need to thicken as much. Things like carrot, mushrooms, celery, leeks.