Smoky Romesco Recipes

GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH SMOKY ROMESCO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the chicken on a large platter and generously season with salt and pepper. Let sit at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Whisk together the oil, paprika and garlic in a liquid measuring cup until completely combined. Put the peppers, tomatoes, onions and baguette slices on a baking sheet and generously brush with the oil mixture until completely coated, making sure to brush on bits of the garlic and paprika. Reserve the remaining oil mixture for the vinaigrette.
• Prepare a grill or large grill pan for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grill grates.
• Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side (see Cook's Note). Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch strips.
• Grill the peppers and onions until lightly charred and tender, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Grill the tomatoes skin-side down until the skin is charred, about 4 minutes; do not grill the cut sides. Transfer to a cutting board and chop the onions and peppers into bite-size pieces. Grill the bread until toasted on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to the same baking sheet. Season the vegetables and croutons with salt and pepper.
• Whisk the vinegar, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into the reserved oil mixture until completely combined. Arrange the chicken on a platter and top with the peppers, onions, tomatoes, croutons and almonds. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and top with parsley. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and serve.

ROMESCO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and cover a baking sheet with foil. Place the tomatoes on the baking sheet, and place under the broiler at the highest setting. Broil for two to four minutes, until charred on one side. Turn over and broil on the other side for two to four minutes until charred. Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Peel and core.
• Turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade and drop in the garlic cloves. When the garlic is chopped and adheres to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the sides. Add the toasted almonds (or almonds and hazelnuts), bread and chile powder or flakes to the bowl and process to a paste.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the pepper, tomatoes, parsley, paprika, salt and pepper. Process until smooth, and with the machine running, add the vinegar and olive oil in a slow stream, beginning with the smaller amount of olive oil and thinning out as desired. Process until well amalgamated, then scrape into a bowl.
• Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt or chile as desired. If possible, allow the sauce to stand for an hour at room temperature before using. Serve with fish and/or grilled vegetables, or on crostini.

SPANISH COCA WITH SMOKY ROMESCO AND POTATOES

Steps:

• To make the dough, sprinkle the yeast over 1/4 cup of the water and stir to dissolve. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes, or until dissolved. Sift the 1 3/4 cups flour and the salt onto a work surface and make a well in the center. Add the yeast mixture, remaining water, and the olive oil. Mix the ingredients in the well together with your fingertips, then gradually draw in flour to make a dough. Knead, dusting with flour as necessary, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until elastic. The dough should be soft, but only slightly sticky. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and turn to coat it with oil. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Prepare a very hot fire (525° to 550°F) in a wood-fired oven or cooker.
• Knead the dough lightly on a floured board for 2 minutes. Roll into a 9 by 14-inch rectangle, stretching to size with your hands. It should be about 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to an oiled baking sheet and dimple the surface of the dough with your fingertips so it does not puff evenly.
• To make the topping, mix the 1/4 cup olive oil, pimentón, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl and brush half of this mixture generously on the dough. Spread evenly with the romesco sauce, then the green onions and oregano. Brush the edges of the crust with olive oil. Leave in a warm place for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the dough is puffy.
• Bake the bread in the oven for 10 minutes, rotating the pan once to bake evenly. Top with the roasted potatoes and continue to bake until the crust is brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush the edges of the crust with olive oil. Top with sliced eggs and cut into serving-size slices or squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SMOKY ROMESCO SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire (400°F) in a wood-fired oven, cooker, or grill.
• Place the tomatoes and onion, cut side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a large knife, cut the top 3/4 inch off the head of garlic and place the head on the baking sheet, cut side up. Drizzle with olive oil and roast in an oven or cooker, or cook over direct heat on a grill until the skins of the tomatoes are wrinkled and charred and the onions are slightly soft, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the skins from the tomatoes and onion and coarsely chop the flesh. Place in a food processor along with any juice from the roasting. Squeeze the roasted garlic from 5 large cloves into the mixture. Add the piquillo peppers and pulse to chop. Add the nuts and torn bread. With the machine running, drizzle in one-third of the olive oil. Add the ancho, pimentón, red pepper flakes, and half of the sherry vinegar. Increase the speed to incorporate the ingredients and chop the nuts. Add salt to taste. Add more olive oil and continue to process until the desired texture is reached. Add water if too thick. Adjust the taste by adding more sherry vinegar and olive oil if needed.