Recipe

The Case of the Promiscuous Romesco

The Case of the Promiscuous Romesco
  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Condiment
    This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Red Pepper Recipe
  • Chef

    pierino's Notes: Romesco sauce is one of the secret weapons in my kitchen arsenal. Think of it as an unexpected drone strike next to your shellfish. It’s also pretty handy with pork or grilled onions. With...

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Serves 8 I hope

2 or 4 dried peppers, your choice, but I like Spanish ńoras* or cascabels Ask a question about this ingredient

2 slices stale, crusty bread Ask a question about this ingredient

one bowl of cold water Ask a question about this ingredient

3/4 cups light Spanish olive oil, say maybe an arbequina Ask a question about this ingredient

3 -4 ounces marcona almonds Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tbs sherry vinegar Ask a question about this ingredient

4 cloves garlic peeled, and coarse chopped Ask a question about this ingredient

sea salt Ask a question about this ingredient

  1. For your romesco, cut the tops off of the peppers which you have soaked in that cold water for about two hours. Seed them and cut them roughly.

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  2. Lightly toast the almonds. You can do this on the stovetop or in a sheet pan in the oven. I told you this was easy.

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  3. Cut up your dried out bread into cubes, and then chop the garlic.

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  4. Breathe deeply, this is not that hard

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  5. Place above ingredients in your food processor, and drizzle in olive oil and vinegar. Hit this with sea salt and give it a spanking. There's your sauce.

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  6. Note to cook: *You can find ńoras on line through La Española, but whatever dried pepper you use, please take note of the Scoville units. This is not some jackass, set your cojones on fire sauce. Peruvian dried peppers are just way too hot for this. The background character to romesco is almost floral.

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10 Comments on The Case of the Promiscuous Romesco

Dscn0826 Reply

Really, really like it. I have been using it in all kinds of applications.

026 Reply

I'd love to hear what those are, man. And thanks!

Dscn0826 Reply

Layered day old Romesco between layers of garden fresh zucchini and then topped it with a greek yogurt bechamel thickened with egg yolks instead of flour and then baked. Out of the ball park is all I can say.

Dscn0826 Reply

zucchini thinly cut on a mandoline that is

Ozoz_profile Reply

Thirsfeld - that is one superb sounding application - I love the idea of a yogurt bechamel. Yum

Reply

I'm really excited about this recipe! This will sound lame, but I've always wanted to try a Romesco sauce, but somehow got intimidated and felt like I wasn't the sort of person who makes stuff like that. But as you say, here in New Mexico the Hatch greens are everywhere right now (every street corner seems to have a roaster full of them--and the smell is soo good) so I'm going to try it with them. Thank you for making something that was aspirational for me seem comfortable and approachable!

026 Reply

If you have Hatch chiles, well "beata Lei" as they say in Italy. It goes without saying that these won't need to be soaked in water if they are fresh roasted. The interesting thing with Hatch chiles is that the heat level really can vary from pepper to pepper and there are no clues from color or age, so you really have to taste your way along. But they're great peppers to use..

Reply

LOVE IT.

026 Reply

This is essentially the same romesco I submitted earlier in the context of another dish.But since then I've been able to source the ńoras. But use which ever dried peppers you can find. Or fresh, Hatch chiles are just arriving now from New Mexico.

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

I made your romesco when you first posted it and LOVED it. Great recipe!

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