August 9, 2019 Recipes1 Comment

Magic Romesco Sauce

Name: Magic Romesco Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients: 2 large roasted red bell peppers, peeled and de-seeded; 2 garlic cloves; 1 cup slivered almonds, toasted; ½ cup tomato puree (optional); ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper; ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil; ¼ teaspoon sea salt and black pepper

This is my healthy take on the traditional Spanish romesco sauce recipe. Also known as Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce. Spain in known for paprika, and this sauce shows why.

Smoked paprika brings a level of depth to this sauce you didn’t know possible. If you are a garlic lover as well, this sauce is for you.

WHAT IS ROMESCO

Technically, romesco sauce is a bell pepper and tomato-based sauce that originated from Tarragona, Catalonia. It is a coastal town, just south of Barcelona.

BENEFITS OF RED BELL PEPPERS

These days, bell peppers aren’t embraced as often as they use to be because they are a part of the night shade family. It is suggested by some doctors that people suffering from arthritic conditions or chronic inflammation should avoid night shades.

However, these peppers that originated in the Americas have many health benefits, as long as you prepare them properly (peeling and de-seeding). Here are just some of those medicinal health benefits:

Supports the stomach, kidney and blood circulation
Help treat cold conditions
Bell peppers contain zeaxanthin, which helps prevents cataracts
A nutrient-dense vegetable, they contain high amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin K, thiamine, folic acid and vitamin B
For those following an Ayurvedic lifestyle, bell peppers reduce pitta and kapha

HOW TO USE THIS SAUCE

Once you try it you think of even more ways to enjoy this sauce with the food you are already preparing.

This sauce is Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Paleo and can be made Lectin-Free.

Here is how I like to use it:

As a dip with vegetable crudité
As a spread in a grilled vegetable sandwich
As a spread on a classic grilled cheese
With eggs
Over blanched or steamed broccoli
With blanched or steam kale, chard, or any leaf green
On top of a salad
With brown rice
A garnish on chicken, turkey or fish
With chicken and arugula for an elevated Chicken Paillard
As a substitute for mayonnaise on a burger

Magical Roasted Red Bell Pepper Romesco Sauce - Chef Whitney Aronoff | Starseed Kitchen

CHEF TIP

You do not need to roast, peel and de-seed your bell peppers every time you make this sauce. I know that adds an extra hour to preparing this recipe.

You can use roasted bell peppers from a jar. Make sure to buy organic, and from a glass jar.

When making this recipe using bell peppers from a jar, use four peppers as they tend to be smaller. No need to increase the amount of any of the other ingredients (unless you really love garlic).

CAN I MAKE THIS SAUCE LECTIN-FREE

Yes, you can make this sauce lectin-free. Because you are using peeled and de-seeded roasted red bell peppers, it it lectin-free.

I noted that the tomato puree is optional. If tomatoes irritate your digestive system, or you are avoiding lectins, then don’t use the tomato puree. Because this recipe uses bell pepper that are peeled and de-seeded you have removed the lectins.

When using the tomato paste, please reach for organic and one that is in a glass jar. I like Bionaturae Organic Tomato Paste which you can find at Thrive Market or at Whole Foods Market. If you look closely at your local natural foods store, you’ll find a tomato paste in glass on the shelves.

The glass allows you to store what you don’t use in the fridge for a longer period of time, and you avoid all the hormone disruptor chemicals that are found in the lining of cans.

IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE TRY THE FOLLOWING