Delicious Homemade Calçotada Sauce (Romersco Sauce)
Authentic Romersco Sauce Recipe: How to Make Calçotada Sauce Like on ‘Tent Outside Europe’, and a Versatile Sauce for Meat and Vegetables!
Learn how to easily make Romersco sauce at home, famously featured on the show ‘Tent Outside Europe’. This essential Calçotada sauce is a versatile condiment that adds wonderful flavor to any dish, from meats to grilled vegetables. It’s surprisingly simple, so give it a try!
Romesco Sauce Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 ripe tomato
- 60g toasted nuts (almonds, macadamia nuts, etc.)
- 60g grated Parmesan cheese
- 60g extra virgin olive oil
- 3-5 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the bell pepper and tomato. Instead of charring them over an open flame at home, place them in a dry pan over medium heat and roast until the skin is blackened all over. This makes the skin easy to peel and enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 2
Typically, one large tomato is used, but if you only have smaller ones, use 2-3 to match the quantity. Using ripe tomatoes will deepen the sauce’s flavor.
Step 3
It’s best to roast the bell pepper and tomato in the pan so that a large surface area makes contact. Flip them occasionally to ensure the skin chars evenly. If roasting at home, covering the pan and simmering on low heat is also a good method.
Step 4
While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the other sauce ingredients. In a blender or food processor, add the 60g of grated Parmesan cheese, 60g of extra virgin olive oil, and 3-5 cloves of whole garlic. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your preference.
Step 5
Once the tomato and bell pepper are well-roasted, peeling the skin will reveal a subtle sweetness. This process significantly enriches the vegetables’ flavor.
Step 6
After peeling the roasted bell pepper and tomato, remove the seeds and chop them into manageable pieces. This will help achieve a smoother texture when blending.
Step 7
60g of nuts is roughly a handful, about 25 nuts. Almonds are common, but feel free to mix in other nuts like macadamia or walnuts for a delicious variation. Lightly toasting the nuts beforehand will add an extra layer of nutty aroma and flavor.
Step 8
To avoid straining your blender or hand blender, it’s a good idea to lightly crush the nuts beforehand. If you have a food processor, it will make this step even easier.
Step 9
Now, combine all the prepared ingredients (roasted bell pepper, tomato, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, nuts) in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Season with 1 tsp of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Once everything is smoothly incorporated, you’ll have an exotic and rich Romersco sauce! It’s famously known as a sauce for Calçotada, but it pairs wonderfully with any grilled meat or vegetables. For convenience, portion the sauce and freeze it; it will be a handy addition to your cooking whenever needed. Enjoy your delicious creation!
