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Romesco Sauce

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 12 to 16 (Makes about 2 cups)

Romesco Sauce

Ingredients

1 - 2 slices white sandwich bread 3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted in a small dry skillet over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 4 mintues12 ounces roasted red peppers (1 jar), drained (about 1 ¾ cups)1 small tomato (ripe), about 4 ounces, cored, seeded, and chopped medium1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 generous teaspoon)2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 ½ tablespoons sherry vinegar ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon table salt

Instructions

  1. Toast bread in toaster at lowest setting until surface is dry but not browned. Remove crusts and cut bread into rough 1/2-inch pieces (you should have about 1/2 cup).
  2. Process bread and almonds in food processor until nuts are finely ground, 10 to 15 seconds. Add red peppers, tomato, garlic, oil, vinegar, cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse, scraping down side of bowl as necessary, until mixture has texture similar to mayonnaise, 20 to 30 seconds. Adjust seasoning with salt; transfer mixture to bowl and serve. (Can refrigerate in airtight container up to 2 days; return sauce to room temperature before serving.)
Romesco Sauce

Romesco Sauce

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 12 to 16 (Makes about 2 cups)

Ingredients

1 - 2 slices white sandwich bread
3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted in a small dry skillet over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 4 mintues
12 ounces roasted red peppers (1 jar), drained (about 1 ¾ cups)
1 small tomato (ripe), about 4 ounces, cored, seeded, and chopped medium
1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 generous teaspoon)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons sherry vinegar
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

1 - 2 slices white sandwich bread
3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted in a small dry skillet over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 4 mintues
12 ounces roasted red peppers (1 jar), drained (about 1 ¾ cups)
1 small tomato (ripe), about 4 ounces, cored, seeded, and chopped medium
1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 generous teaspoon)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons sherry vinegar
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

1 - 2 slices white sandwich bread
3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted in a small dry skillet over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 4 mintues
12 ounces roasted red peppers (1 jar), drained (about 1 ¾ cups)
1 small tomato (ripe), about 4 ounces, cored, seeded, and chopped medium
1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 generous teaspoon)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons sherry vinegar
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon table salt

Why This Recipe Works

This roasted red pepper sauce, which pairs well with grilled meat, poultry, and fish, has a smoky flavor that is balanced by fresh tomato and rich almonds. To keep the sauce from becoming too strong, we add toasted bread to the mix. The bread tempers the sauce’s assertive flavor while thickening at the same time.

Instructions

  1. Toast bread in toaster at lowest setting until surface is dry but not browned. Remove crusts and cut bread into rough 1/2-inch pieces (you should have about 1/2 cup).
  2. Process bread and almonds in food processor until nuts are finely ground, 10 to 15 seconds. Add red peppers, tomato, garlic, oil, vinegar, cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse, scraping down side of bowl as necessary, until mixture has texture similar to mayonnaise, 20 to 30 seconds. Adjust seasoning with salt; transfer mixture to bowl and serve. (Can refrigerate in airtight container up to 2 days; return sauce to room temperature before serving.)

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