Chilli maple mayonnaise could be the secret to the perfect bacon sandwich, according to vegan chefs BOSH!, offering a sweet-and-spicy alternative to ketchup or HP Sauce.
The sauce, initially created by the chefs to accompany a tofu bacon substitute, works equally well with meat, they say. It combines creamy mayonnaise with the rich sweetness of maple syrup and a kick of chilli, delivering creamy, sweet, smoky and slightly tangy flavours at once.
What makes the sauce work
The maple syrup brings a caramel-like sweetness that balances the heat of the chilli, while the mayonnaise gives the sauce a rich, indulgent texture. The level of heat can vary depending on the chilli used, ranging from a gentle warmth to a much fierier kick.
The chefs explained: "Do you want to know the secret to a perfect sandwich? Crispiness, contrast, [and] crunch." A squeeze of lime can add fresh acidity, extra chilli will turn up the heat, and a little more maple syrup will make it sweeter.
How to make chilli maple mayonnaise
To make the sauce, combine three tablespoons of mayonnaise, one teaspoon of chilli crisp oil and one teaspoon of maple syrup. It can then be layered with bacon, tomatoes and lettuce, and perhaps some cheese.
Vegan alternative with tofu
For a vegan substitute for bacon, tofu serves as an excellent option to recreate that meaty consistency. The ingredients for the tofu toasted sandwich are one block of firm smoked tofu, one tablespoon of soy sauce, one tablespoon of maple syrup, one tablespoon of tomato purée, one teaspoon of smoked paprika and one tablespoon of olive oil.
These marinated tofu strips can then be placed in the toasted ciabatta sandwich instead of the bacon, along with the chilli maple mayonnaise sauce.
