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Looking to spice up your entertaining? This romesco dip is a bright red sauce made of almonds, red peppers and tomatoes: perfect for dipping!
This post was crated in partnership with Muir Glen Tomatoes. All opinions are our own.
Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. –Eddie Cantor
I’m a chronic over-committer. Perhaps you can relate? Life presents opportunities, and I want to accept every single one. I’m ridden with guilt when I’m not able to say yes to a relationship or work project. The thought of not meeting a deadline makes me sick to my stomach. But gradually, life has been teaching me that I can’t do it all, or be it all. I have to slow down. Margin. How does this relate to Romesco dip? Keep reading.
Slowing down
To this end, Alex has been my coach in helping me become more strategic about the way I spent my time. Just where am I running to, so fast? Why is it a race? What scenery might I be missing? How can I focus on working my strengths and investing in my values? How can I run at a pace to maintain balance and cultivate margin? (If you’re into Ennegram, I’m an Enneagram 3. Could you tell?)
These answers are starting to work themselves out. I’ve been seeking to focus attention in the present. I’m learning how to fully enjoy the space that I’m in, instead of always looking forward to what’s next. Instead of focusing on my To Do list, I’ve been heartily enjoying that glass of wine with a friend, that summer breeze on the patio, the bitter bite of a morning espresso, the squeeze of a we-only-see-eachother-twice-a-year-but-I-love-you-like-a-sister hug.
And I’m cooking lots of recipes, like this Romesco dip.
How to make Romesco dip
Recipes are one of our ways of grounding ourselves. This Romesco dip has a special place in my heart. It’s a Spanish sauce, made with classic ingredients like sherry vinegar and smoked paprika that remind me of my time studying abroad in Spain. (Here’s our recent trip: Malaga to Barcelona, Spain.)
This Romesco dip comes together fairly quickly. All you do is blend together the following ingredients:
- Almonds
- Garlic
- Roasted red peppers (jarred)
- Fire roasted tomatoes
- Smoked paprika
- Sherry vinegar
- Olive oil
We used our favorite Muir Glen fire roasted tomatoes here, which have a sweet flavor right out of the can. It comes together in a flash into a beautiful bright orange dip with an irresistible flavor.
How to serve it
Use this Romesco dip as a quick appetizer to enjoy on the patio with summer veggies, or in the winter with bread or crackers. For this variation, we used raw zucchini and peppers from the farmer’s market. We also grabbed some purple potatoes. For the potatoes, we grilled them up in a grill pan: or, you can use your grill! For quicker prep, you can use all raw vegetables, or even crackers or bread.
Alex and I enjoyed this Romesco dip together in a slower moment. It would be perfect with olives, bread, and cheese for a light summer meal on the patio, or as an appetizer for a dinner with guests. Cheers to slowing down and enjoying the ride, wherever your journey is taking you.
Related: Homemade Teriyaki Sauce | Homemade BBQ Sauce
Looking for party appetizers?
Outside of this Romesco dip, here are a few of our favorite party appetizers:
- Happy Hour Platter with Caramelized Onion Dip
- Paprika Goat Cheese Spread
- Skillet Mexican Cheese Dip
- Pumpkin Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Baked Brie with Roasted Cranberry Sauce
- Very Verde Cilantro Dip
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
- Famous Tomato Dip with Grilled Bread
- Creamy Labneh Dip
This Romesco dip recipe is…
Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Easy Romesco Dip
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 appetizer servings 1x
Description
Looking to spice up your entertaining? This romesco dip is a bright red sauce made of almonds, red peppers and tomatoes: perfect for dipping!
Ingredients
For the Romesco dip
- 1 ½ cups sliced almonds
- 2 cloves garlic
- 15-ounce can fire-roasted Muir Glen diced tomatoes
- 2 large jarred roasted red peppers
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoons kosher salt
For the vegetables (optional)
- ½ pound purple potatoes
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 zucchini
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Make the Romesco dip: In a dry skillet, toast the almonds over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Peel and smash the garlic. In a blender or food processor, process all ingredients until smooth. Taste and add additional seasonings if desired. (If made in advance, store refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving.)
- Prepare the vegetables: Slice the bell peppers and zucchini (these will be served raw).
- Grill the potatoes (optional): Thinly slice the potatoes. Lightly coat the potatoes in olive oil and sprinkle with paprika and kosher salt. Cook over medium heat on a grill pan or grill for about 12 minutes until tender and lightly charred, turning halfway through.
- Place all vegetables on a platter, and serve with Romesco dip.
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Spanish
I can really relate to what you wrote in this post. I always find myself rushing like I’m in some sort race against the clock, even when it’s completely unwarranted. You’d thinking that stopping to RELAX and enjoy moments as they happen would be easy, right?? But I find that cooking helps me ground myself, too. :)
Love love love this post, lady. Especially after our hour-long conversation yesterday. :) #overcommitters4lyfe
HI ALEX.
I used to adore the romesco sauce from country Mouse City mouse in Indy but I don’t think they actually exist anymore so will happy to try your version since I miss it so much!!!
“an intense people-pleasing gene.” I can so relate, and I keep thinking that I should have more of this figured out by now.
Thanks for your honesty and this genius (healthy) recipe. I’ll be making it this weekend for a party we’re having, but I’m overflowing with gorgeous heirloom tomatoes right now, so I think I’ll use those instead this go around.
I love the way you write. I need to slow down more often as well! And a nice book and bowl of dip by my side is exactly what I need :)
What a beautiful post, Sonja. Thanks for the honesty because it’s something we can all relate to. My husband was also instrumental years back in helping me appreciate and find the value in stopping to smell the roses. And romesco, one of my faves! I like the idea of putting it out with some olives and bread as a light summer dinner spread.