Yellow Pepper & Pistachio Romesco Sauce

Our first Spot Prawn Saturday of the season came together nicely — I was excited to find yellow peppers grown here in BC — then there was Washington State Asparagus, Watercress & Cilantro from Vancouver Island, BC Hothouse Tomatoes and Medicine Beach Market Sourdough Rolls.

The stars of the meal were the Fresh (caught mere hours earlier) Ouzo Steamed BC Spot Prawns — sweet, meaty & HUGE.  But where there’s seafood there should always be a dip, so I made this Yellow Pepper Romesco to act accordingly.

Smoky Roasted Tomato Dip – Recipe

Smoky Tomato Dip

(makes just over 1 cup)

Slow Roasted Tomato Halves	12 (from med-lge tomatoes)
Smoked Tofu	200g (7 oz)
Pine Nuts	40g (1.5 oz) (½c)
Shallot, chopped	30g (1 oz) (¼c)
Garlic, halved	1 clove
Italian Parsley or Cilantro	Small handful
Tomato Concentrate	45ml (3T) or 1t tomato paste
Olive Oil	45ml (3T) + more for drizzling
Water	30ml (2T)
Smoked Paprika	2ml (¼t)
S+P	TT

C=cup                   T=tablespoon

t=teaspoon        TT=to taste

Remove the bitter green root from both halves of the garlic.  Puree the tomato halves, tofu, pine nuts, shallot, garlic, parsley or cilantro, tomato concentrate or paste and olive oil in a food processor.  Slowly drizzle in the water, and continue to puree until smooth.  Remove to a bowl, and season with paprika and salt & pepper.

Serve with crackers & crudités.

it's causing a real stir

Tips

• This dip is RED.  Can you say Christmas party?
• Everyone from meat maniac to vegan will love its deep, complex flavours.  Very umami.
• If you have to use tomato paste, then increase the water to 45ml or 3T
• You could substitute sundried tomato for the oven roasted ones if that’s what you have.  Use fewer sundried, and omit the tomato paste.  You may want to add a little more tofu and olive oil & water to mellow out the strong tomato flavour.
• The pine nuts add richness, but almonds could be used to help save the Christmas budget.

Tips

· This dip is RED.  Can you say Christmas party?

· Everyone from meat maniac to vegan will love its deep, complex flavours.  Very umami.

· If you have to use tomato paste, then increase the water to 45ml or 3T

· You could substitute sundried tomato for the oven roasted ones if that’s what you have.  Use fewer sundried, and omit the tomato paste.  You may want to add a little more tofu and olive oil & water to mellow out the strong tomato flavour.

· The pine nuts add richness, but almonds could be used to help save the Christmas budget.