Prepare to transform your culinary experience with this vibrant, oil-free Spanish romesco sauce that will tantalize your taste buds and impress even the most discerning food lovers! This incredibly versatile sauce combines the smoky sweetness of roasted red peppers with the rich, nutty crunch of toasted almonds, creating a flavor explosion that will elevate everything from grilled vegetables to proteins. In just 25 minutes, you'll master a restaurant-quality condiment that's not only delicious but also surprisingly healthy and incredibly easy to make.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Spanish
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 roasted red peppers
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and patting dry the vegetables. If using fresh red peppers, roast them first by placing them directly over an open flame or under the broiler, turning occasionally until the skin is completely charred and blistered.
- Once roasted, place the peppers in a covered bowl or sealed plastic bag for 10 minutes to steam. This will help easily remove the skin. Peel off the charred skin and discard, then remove seeds and roughly chop the roasted peppers.
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a food processor, combine the roasted red peppers, chopped tomatoes, toasted almonds, peeled garlic cloves, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
- Pulse the mixture until smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed. Continue processing until you achieve a consistent, creamy texture.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or red wine vinegar as needed to balance the flavors.
- Transfer the romesco sauce to a serving bowl. For best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve at room temperature as a dip, spread, or sauce for vegetables, grilled proteins, or as part of a tapas platter.
Tips
- • For the most authentic flavor, use fire-roasted red peppers. If using jarred peppers, pat them dry thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.• Toast almonds carefully - they can burn quickly! Keep stirring and watch the color change from pale to golden brown.• Allow the sauce to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to let the flavors fully develop and meld together.• This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to deepen over time.• For a smoother texture, blend the sauce longer. For a chunkier version, pulse fewer times to maintain some almond texture.• Experiment with adding a pinch of smoked paprika for an extra layer of depth and smokiness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 45kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
