Spanish Cuisine has been especially popular in recent years, and with good reason. Spain has been a cultural and culinary melting pot for well over a millenia. The area was under Islamic rule for many centuries , and then Colonialism brought the exotic ingredients from the New World to be incorporated into dishes. With all those choices, no wonder the smaller portions of tapas are a part of their food culture. Who would want to decide on just one thing.
One my favorite sauces is Romesco, which originates from Catalonia. It is a sweet pepper and nut sauce. It is typically reddish in color, from Red Peppers and some of the spices used. When this month's issue of Cooking Light arrived, it featured this sauce in their 25 All Time Favorite Recipes collection.
I decided I needed some of this healthy and tasty condiment on hand, so I resolved to make a batch. The only thing is... I had a bowl full of roasted yellow peppers in my refrigerator, not red. I enjoy roasted peppers, but was not about to roast red ones while the yellow ones sat in wait. I looked over the Cooking Light version of Catalonian Pepper and Nut Sauce. After perusing it a bit, I concluded that with a number of swaps and alterations, and the need to roast some yellow tomatoes (see I still didn't get away from roasting something...lol), I could come up with a yellow version of Romesco. Of course, it would not taste quite the same, but the flavors and swaps all made sense in my head. I rolled up my sleeves and the kitchen mess making commenced!
In my yellow version of Romesco, I purposely kept the heat quite mild, skipping the ancho chilis altogether. I maintained the nut and garlic quantities from the original recipe, but substituted the tomato paste for a doubled up quantity of roasted yellow tomatoes. Panko stood in for sliced bread, and red wine vinegar was replaced by white vinegar and lemon zest and juice. Since the roasted yellow peppers were sitting in their own juices, I used that juice, rather than adding water to the sauce. When it came to spices, I didn't want to go to far astray, but also didn't want them to muddy the bright yellow of the sauce, so white pepper and turmeric rounded out a reduced quantity of paprika. Smoked olive oil, stood in for some of the smokiness lost from reducing the paprika and omitting the ancho chilis.
The sauce is different than a traditional Salsa Romesco, but harkens to it's predecessor more than enough to for younger sibling status.
Yellow Romesco Recipe (Catalonian Sweet Pepper & Nut Sauce)
Print Pin RateIngredients
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup chopped hazelnuts
- 4 cloves of garlic coarse chopped
- 2 tbs Panko crumbs
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- zest of one lemon
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- 3 tbs white vinegar
- ¼ cup roasted yellow tomato*
- 1 cup roasted yellow pepper with ¼ cup of the juices
- ¼ cup smoked olive oil
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and quickly toast the nuts (just a few minutes). Cool for a few minutes.
- Place nuts in food processor and pulse until well chopped.
- Add garlic and Panko, pulse to mince.
- Add the white pepper, turmeric, paprika, salt and lemon zest. Pulse a few times.
- Add the lemon juice, tomatoes, peppers and pepper juice. Pulse until smooth, then add the oil and pulse until creamy.
- The sauce can be served immediately, but is better the next day, as it benefits from being given some time for the flavors to meld.
Notes
Nutrition
Jenn says
What do you typically pair this condiment with?
Robin Gagnon says
Traditionally Salsa Romesco is served with seafood, but is also popular with veggies, meats and as a sandwich spread. It can be used to add a zip of flavor to pasta or rice dishes. It is a pretty versatile condiment.
Jenn @TheRebelChick says
I've never heard of Romesco but this looks so tasty! I thought it was a kind of hummus before I started reading. I bet it tastes great with veggies!
Robin Gagnon says
Actually, it does have some resemblance to hummus or baba ganoush, but not so heavy & can be used in much the same way.
Liz says
I call your variation a total win. I like the substitutions you made, very well thought out.
Kelsey Apley says
Yum this looks great, I have never heard of this! I am gonna try it out!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
Yellow romesco--I love it! Romesco sauce is one of my favorite things. I love it with roasted potatoes. 🙂
Donna says
I was going to ask if it was similar to hummus and read your response to Jenn. 🙂
Angela says
Just add some toasted bread, and I wouldn't need anything else. This recipe looks amazing!
Stefanie says
I've never heard of Romesco.
Tricia @ Night owl mama says
I love dips and that sounds really tasty
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
I've never heard of Romesco but this looks amazing!
Lolo says
Yum! I want some with some crunchy carrots or toasted pita!
Theresa says
This looks tasty!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
It's nice that it is such a versatile condiment and I imagine it would be really delicious with veggies.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I'm not ever attempted a romesco sauce -- this looks good!
Shell Fruscione says
I've never had anything like that but it sounds super tasty!
HilLesha says
I have never heard of this recipe, but it looks and sounds seriously delicious!
Tammy says
What great creativity you had in altering the recipe. I so enjoyed the authentic tapas we had when we were in Spain a couple of years ago, I can totally see this on the menu with many of the things we ate.
courtney says
Like most I've never heard of romesco but we loveee peppers 🙂
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
It looks delicious. I'd like to try it with some fresh veggie sticks.