Romanesco Sauce

Ground almonds and bread crumbs give Romanesco Sauce a rich graininess and texture more like pesto than “sauce.”

Savory and substantial, with added heat and smokiness from paprika and cayenne, Romanesco Sauce makes a delicious appetizer when spread on Bruschetta or crackers.

This piquant, versatile sauce is also great tossed with hot or cold pasta or as a topping for grilled vegetables.

Romanesco Sauce

1 cup toasted bread crumbs, see recipe below
½ cup blanched almonds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and seeded
4 Italian tomatoes, fresh or from the can
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spread almonds evenly over a cookie sheet. Make sure nuts are only one layer thick and centered on the sheet. Nuts on the edges of the sheet burn easily.


You may use whole, slivered or sliced blanched almonds.



3. Toast almonds for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so they toast evenly. Allow to cool.


Watch oven carefully when toasting almonds—they burn easily.



4. In a food processor coarse chop almonds.
5. Add toasted bread crumbs and garlic. Pulse to incorporate.
6. Add peppers, tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, honey, cayenne pepper and paprika. Blend into a grainy paste.
7. Add salt and pepper. Pulse to incorporate.
8. Serves with bruschetta, toast or crackers.

Serves 8.

Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs are a great way to use up day-old bread. Use bread crumbs in meatloaf, meatballs, gazpacho, Romanesco Sauce, as breading for fried foods—and much more.

Soft Bread Crumbs

1. Cut or tear day-old bread into 1″ pieces.
2. Process in batches in food processor or blender. Store in air-tight container in freezer.

Toasted Bread Crumbs

1. Cut day-old bread into slices and toast in toaster or under broiler—watch carefully as this takes only a minute or less on each side.
2. If using in Mediterranean food you may drizzle with olive oil and rub with a garlic clove. If using in other foods, leave plain.
3. Cut or tear toasted bread into 1″ pieces.
4. Process in batches in food processor or blender. Store in air-tight container in freezer.

Tagged as: appetizer recipe, Romanesco sauce, Romanesco Sauce recipe, soft bread crumbs recipe, toasted bread crumbs recipe

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