Spicy Romesco Sauce

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Roasted red bell peppers and almonds are the base of this spicy romesco sauce. This delicious Catalonian recipe is smooth, nutty, and earthy with a slightly smoky spiciness. Cayenne pepper and smoked paprika bring the spiciness (and smokiness) here. Altogether, it turns meals into something very memorable. It’s a complex flavor, yet it’s surprisingly simple to make (and it only takes half an hour to complete).

Spicy Romesco Sauce

Get ready to experiment with this sauce as it has many potential use cases in the kitchen. Spicy romesco sauce pairs very well with fish – halibut, snapper, cod, grilled, or breaded, you name it. It also works well as a dipper with crusty bread and vegetable crudites. Traditionally this sauce is served with Catalonian green onions (called calcots in Catalon). But it also pairs perfectly with asparagus, summer squash, and zucchini, just to name a few vegetable options.

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Spicy Romesco Sauce

Spicy Romesco Sauce

Smoky, nutty, and earthy – a spicy Catalonian dip
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine Catalonian
Servings 12 servings
Calories 97 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

Prep and broil the vegetables.

  • Preheat broiler on low and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Halve the peppers and tomato, then place both, along with the whole garlic cloves, on the baking sheet (skin side up).
  • Broil the vegetables for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the skin becomes charred.
  • Remove the vegetables from the broiler, then place them on a plate. Cover the plate with aluminum foil for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the foil. Peel the peppers and tomato and remove the seeds from the tomato. Place to the side.

Toast the almonds.

  • While the vegetables are covered for 15 minutes, place the slivered almonds on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet in a toaster (or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Toast the almonds for 2 to 4 minutes (until lightly browned), then remove from the toaster. Set to the side.

Make the sauce

  • In a large bowl, combine the peeled peppers, tomato, and garlic. Pulse blend using a food processor until you reach a rough chop.
  • Add the almonds and bread and pulse blend the sauce again until combined.
  • Add the olive oil, sherry vinegar, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Pulse blend the sauce until smooth (or your desired consistency).
  • Add the salt, to taste.
  • Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 110mgPotassium: 156mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1385IUVitamin C: 52.6mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 0.6mg
Keyword Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika
Did you make this?Mention @PepperScale or tag #PepperScale so we can see what you made!

UPDATE NOTICE: This post was updated on August 21, 2022 to include new content.
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