SAFFRON MAYONNAISE: Grind 2 pinches of saffron in a mortar and add 1 tablespoon boiling water to infuse for several minutes. Stir this into 1 cup of mayonnaise. Serve with roasted red peppers and tomatoes, fried potatoes, Mediterranean soups, lentil or chickpeas.

GARLIC MAYONNAISE: Coarsely chop 4 to 6 cloves garlic. Transfer into a mortar and pound with a pinch of salt until it turns into a paste. Stir into a cup of mayonnaise and add a little lemon juice to taste. Serve with chargrilled summer vegetables (eggplant, zucchini and charred red onion), a summer vegetable soup, or use as a dip for crudite.

DILL AND LEMON MAYONNAISE: Add a quarter cup of chopped dill, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and lemon juice to taste to 1 cup mayonnaise. Serve with poached eggs, steamed vegetables and boiled new potatoes