GRILLED LEEKS WITH ROMESCO SAUCE
In Catalonia there is an annual ritual called the calçotada, an outdoor barbecue that revolves around local spring onions called calçots. After harvest, the onions, which look like baby leeks, are grilled, then wrapped in newspapers to steam for a bit. They're served with romesco sauce, the nut-thickened pepper purée that is another regional specialty. For this picnic recipe, I've substituted leeks for the spring onions and reversed the process, steaming the leeks at home, then finishing them on a wood fire to get the smoky flavor.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories appetizer
Time 2h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Make the romesco sauce. 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 chili powder or flakes to the bowl. Process into a paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the pepper, tomatoes, parsley, paprika, salt and pepper. Process until smooth. With the machine running, add the vinegar and olive oil in a slow stream. Process until well mixed, then scrape into a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt as desired. If possible, allow the sauce to stand for an hour at room temperature before using.
- Cut away the dark green ends of the leeks. Trim the root end. Cut fat leeks lengthwise into quarters, and rinse thoroughly under cold water to wash away any sand. If your leeks are 1/2 inch in diameter they needn't be cut; if they are between 1/2 inch and an inch, you can just cut them in half.
- Bring an inch of water to a boil in the bottom of a steamer. Place the leeks in the steamer, and steam 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and toss with the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare a medium-hot grill. Grill the steamed leeks for five minutes, turning often, just until grill marks appear. Remove from the heat, and serve with romesco sauce.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 219, UnsaturatedFat 17 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 250 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
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Deron
[email protected]I've made this dish several times and it's always a hit. The leeks are always cooked perfectly and the romesco sauce is always delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.
Witold Macyszyn
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! The leeks were so tender and flavorful, and the romesco sauce was the perfect complement. I'll definitely be making this again.
my life as tia
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a big success. The leeks were grilled to perfection and the romesco sauce was amazing. Everyone loved it!
Noman Shakeel
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the dish turned out perfectly. The leeks were tender and flavorful, and the romesco sauce was creamy and delicious. I served it with grilled chicken and it was a hit with my family.
kym healy
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out great. The leeks were cooked perfectly and the romesco sauce was delicious. I would definitely recommend this recipe to others.
Valjon Bujupi
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of leeks, but this recipe changed my mind. The grilling process brought out their natural sweetness, and the romesco sauce added a nice touch of smokiness. I'll definitely be making this again.
Ariyan Monir
[email protected]This is a simple but delicious recipe. The leeks are grilled to perfection and the romesco sauce is creamy and flavorful. I served it with grilled chicken and it was a hit with my family.
Pashton Lala
[email protected]This dish is a great way to showcase leeks. The grilling process brings out their natural sweetness, and the romesco sauce adds a nice touch of smokiness. I would definitely recommend this recipe to others.
sharon eboola
[email protected]I love this recipe! The leeks are so tender and flavorful, and the romesco sauce is the perfect complement. I always get rave reviews when I make this dish.
Valdez Okoye
[email protected]This was my first time making grilled leeks and they turned out great! The romesco sauce was also very good. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Marichu Lumanta
[email protected]I've made this dish several times and it's always a hit. The leeks are always cooked perfectly and the romesco sauce is always delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.
Eryka Simmons
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! The leeks were so tender and flavorful, and the romesco sauce was the perfect complement. I'll definitely be making this again.
Wasswa Innocent
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a big success. The leeks were grilled to perfection and the romesco sauce was amazing. Everyone loved it!
Ritke Das
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the dish turned out perfectly. The leeks were tender and flavorful, and the romesco sauce was creamy and delicious. I served it with grilled chicken and it was a hit with my family.
Tania Emerson (Tarnz)
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out great. The leeks were cooked perfectly and the romesco sauce was delicious. I would definitely recommend this recipe to others.
Haji Najeeb Khan
[email protected]I'm not usually a fan of leeks, but this recipe changed my mind. The grilling process brought out their natural sweetness, and the romesco sauce added a nice touch of smokiness. I'll definitely be making this again.
Zikera Williams
[email protected]These grilled leeks with romesco sauce were a hit! The leeks were perfectly tender and flavorful, and the romesco sauce was creamy and delicious. I'll definitely be making this dish again.