Low Carb Romesco Sauce

There are countless ways to make this nutty, rich, low carb sauce, and countless ways to use it. This version includes roasted red peppers, tomato puree, almonds, vinegar, paprika and smoky chile pepper blends. Although traditionally made with a mortar and pestle, using a food processor cuts down the prep time.

Jump to: RECIPE | What is Romesco? | How to Use Romesco | Ingredients and Process

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What is Romesco Sauce?

Romesco is basically a rich, pungent and smoky sauce with a base of red peppers and tomatoes and thickened with toasted almonds, garlic, vinegar and herbs. The almonds give the sauce a creamy texture without having to use flour or a thickener.

How is Romesco Sauce used?

The fishermen in Northeastern Spain came up with this sauce to enhance their catch, but its uses have long since expanded into accompaniments for grilled meats and many vegetable dishes.  

The sauce is also just as good on a piece of toast that’s been brushed with olive oil and maybe rubbed with more garlic. Or try it with a side of butternut squash as in this dish below:

During the springtime in Catalonia, a traditional barbecue would probably find a Romesco sauce being put to good use as a dip for charred spring onions (called “calcots” in Spain).

One of my go-to uses for romesco when I am being really strict on a slow carb lifestyle is to have as a side to scrambled eggs (see below):

Ingredients and Process

I grow heirloom tomatoes and chile peppers on our small farm (Heathglen Farm) and make products to sell at our twin cities farmers’ markets. Romesco is one of the sauces that always sells out.

We smoke the heirloom tomatoes, toast the almonds, add sherry vinegar and fresh herbs and then water-bath the whole thing to give it a long shelf life. The almonds are what makes this romesco sauce so creamy, not dairy or sugar.

Low Carb Romesco is a great addition to a low carb lifestyle, adding a lot of flavor to your proteins and vegetables without the guilt.  

Flavor without guilt…..that should be a new tagline!  

**Tip: Wherever you are, if you have the time, let the sauce stand for an hour at room temperature before serving.  Like a good red wine, it is better at room temperature.

Ciao!

Low Carb Romesco Sauce

This Spanish sauce improves anything it touches. Made with a base of peppers and tomatoes and thickened with almonds. Garlic, smoked paprika and sherry vinegar add the finishing touches

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 12

Calories 81

Author Dorothy Stainbrook

Equipment

• skillet
• Food processor
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ¾ cup almonds
• 5 cloves garlic medium
• 24 ounce jarred roasted red peppers
• 16 ounces tomato puree
• 4 tablespoons sherry vinegar can substitute red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• ¾ teaspoons chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup olive oil

Instructions

 

• Lightly toast the almonds in a skillet until you start to smell their nutty perfume (doesn't take long).

  Let them cool a little bit and then pulverize them in a blender or grinder. You want them finely ground, but not so much that it is a paste.
  3/4 cup almonds
• Add the almonds, garlic, peppers, puree, vinegar, paprika, chipotle powder, salt and pepper to a food processor and pulse until everything is finely chopped.

  With motor running, slowly add ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil; process until smooth.

  Taste and adjust seasonings and salt to your preference.

  Do Ahead: Romesco can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.
  5 cloves garlic, 24 ounce jarred roasted red peppers, 16 ounces tomato puree, 4 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 3/4 teaspoons chipotle powder, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.002gSodium: 984mgPotassium: 338mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 812IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 2mg

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