Perhaps you’re already acquainted. But if not, allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite sauces. Meet romesco sauce.
(Or, to get even better acquainted, try it in this Grilled Skirt Steak and Potatoes with Romesco).
What’s romesco sauce?
Romesco is a classic sauce from Spain. It’s a lot like pesto, except made with roasted red peppers instead of basil and almonds instead of pine nuts. And with added goodies like smoked paprika, brandy, and sherry vinegar.
Sounds pretty good, right?
It’s also as easy to make as pesto. In other words, if you can push a button on your food processor, you can make romesco.
The net-net is a simple yet silky, sexy, and seductive sauce that, although traditionally served with fish or poultry, goes with almost everything.
So salmon and chicken, yes. But also steaks. Chops. Grilled or roasted meats or vegetables. (Cauliflower + romesco = awesome.)
It’s a nice twist as a pizza or pasta sauce. And a sandwich spread—try it on a burger or a grilled portobello sandwich.
Thinned out with a little more oil and vinegar, it can be a dressing for a green salad, bean salad, grain salad, or potato salad. Or stir it into yogurt or mayo for a dip.
You get the idea. This stuff is gooood. And very, very versatile.
Why make it now?
One, because romesco’s smoky, sort of haunting quality goes really well with the smoky grilled foods of summer.
And two, because it freezes well, it goes with the easy-breezy cooking of summer.
My recommendation? Make a batch, or even a double batch. Use some tonight to enjoy Grilled Skirt Steak and Potatoes with Romesco, then portion the rest into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Tomorrow, pop those frozen cubes of yumminess into a resealable bag and return them to the freezer.
Then next time you’re making an easy-breezy grilled chicken breast and say to yourself, “How can I make my chicken [or potato salad or BLT] more interesting?” the answer is just a thaw away.
Romesco sauce.
Sides to pair with Grilled Skirt Steak and Potatoes with Romesco:
Hibiscus Sangria Cocktail or Mocktail
Simply Good Summer Tomato Salsa
Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup with Crab
Latin-Inspired Caprese Salad
Tomato and Peach Salad with Feta and White Balsamic
Melon and Chile Salad with Lime
Berry Sorbet
Nectarine Almond Rosé Crumble
Entrees to pair with summer in general:
Heirloom Tomato, Bacon, and Fresh Mozzarella Sandwiches
Classic Cobb Salad
Dungeness Crab Louis
Spinach Salad with Chicken, Strawberries, Blue Cheese, and Almonds
Corn and Crab Cakes with Cilantro and Lime Sour Cream
Cornmeal-Crusted Petrale with Tomato-Taragon Relish
Chicken with Lemon-Lime, Corn, and Jalapeno Relish
Grilled Chicken with Marinated Peppers
Grilled Chicken with Sundried Tomato, Blue Cheese, and Rosemary Butter
Grilled Pork Chops with Cherry Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Arugula
Lamburgers with Basil and Blue Cheese Dressing
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri
