A Quick Romesco Sauce

A Romesco sauce is a traditional Spanish (Catalan) roasted pepper and nut sauce. Here I give it a modern twist and a few shortcuts. 

Feel free to use jarred roasted bell peppers -- they're tasty and perfect for this. The tomato paste is a nutrient-dense easy replacement for charred tomatoes, and since tasty tomatoes aren't always around, you can count on it. 

I tried this sauce once with only hazelnuts instead of the almonds, pine-nut and hazelnut mix I usually used, just because I ran out of the rest that day, and never looked back.

It is such a versatile sauce! I love it on toasted bread, on rice, couscous or pasta and on roasted veggies. 

INGREDIENTS:

  • ½  cup roasted hazelnuts, skins rubbed off (as much as possible)
  • 1 slice toasted whole wheat bread, broken into pieces (just pop it into the toaster)
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 roasted bell peppers, peeled and seeded (jarred is FINE)
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • A pinch of pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoon paprika, smoked paprika or Ayala's Magic Spice
  • Salt to taste

PREPARATION:

Place all the ingredients in the food processor, and pulse until it's texturally right for you: I like it a little chunky, but you may opt for smooth.  

Taste and correct seasoning by adding more hot pepper flakes or salt.

Enjoy, Dr. Ayala

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