Spanish Romesco Sauce with Grilled Calçots

Name: Spanish Romesco Sauce with Grilled Calçots
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 2 large red bell peppers; 1 head garlic; 2/3 cup blanched almonds; 2 slices rustic bread; 1/2 cup olive oil; 2 tbsp sherry vinegar; 1 tsp smoked paprika; Salt and pepper; 18 calçots or young leeks; Olive oil; Salt

Traditional Catalan Delicacy

Enjoy a taste of Catalonia with this vibrant Romesco sauce paired with tender, charred calçots for a delightful appetizer or side dish.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Romesco Sauce

2 large red bell peppers

roasted and peeled

1 head garlic

roasted

2/3 cup blanched almonds

toasted

2 slices rustic bread

toasted

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tbsp sherry vinegar

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper

to taste

For the Grilled Calçots

18 calçots or young leeks

Olive oil

for brushing

Salt

a generous pinch

Preparation

Preparing the Romesco Sauce

Roast and Peel Peppers

Roast the bell peppers on an open flame until charred, then peel and seed them.

Roast Garlic

Roast the garlic by cutting off the top, drizzling with olive oil, wrapping in foil, and baking until soft.

Blend Ingredients

In a blender, combine roasted peppers, garlic, almonds, toasted bread, olive oil, sherry vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and set aside.

Ensure all ingredients for the sauce are well blended for a smooth texture. Adjust the amount of olive oil to reach your desired consistency.

Preparing the Calçots

Prepare Calçots

Remove the outer layers of the calçots and trim the greens, leaving a portion for handling.

Season Calçots

Brush them with olive oil and season with salt.

Preheat Grill

Preheat the grill to medium-high and prepare for direct and indirect grilling.

Cooking Process

Grilling calçots

Grill directly over heat until outer layers are charred, about 10-15 minutes.

Preparing for serving

Once grilled, let the calçots cool slightly before peeling.

Romesco finishing touch

Adjust seasoning to taste after blending.

Plating & Serving