Recipe for shrimp with romesco sauce

Sheryl Julian/Globe staff

July 10, 2012

1 minute to read

Serves 6

Shrimp in their shells (heads and tails intact) are a popular tapas, accompanied by a sauce such as romesco, which is typical in the Catalan provinces, writes Penelope Casas in “Tapas.’’ Romesco is made like mayonnaise, but the base is bread, almonds, and roasted tomato and garlic. Then you whir in olive oil until it has a creamy consistency.

1large tomato, cored and halved3cloves garlic, halved2dried red peppers½cup water3tablespoons red wine vinegar, or more to taste7tablespoons olive oil1slice French or other white bread, cubed10skinless whole almondsSalt, to taste1pound large shrimp (unshelled)

1. Set the oven at 450 degrees. Set the tomato and garlic in a baking dish and roast for 30 minutes. Turn the oven to the broiler setting. Set a rack about 8 inches from the element.

2. When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, pull off the skin. Transfer the tomatoes and garlic to a food processor.

2. In a saucepan, combine the dried peppers, water, and 3 tablespoons vinegar. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the bread and almonds and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes to brown them. Transfer to a food processor.

Add the dried pepper mixture. Leave to cool. Pulse until smooth. With the motor running, add all but 2 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil and a pinch of salt. Taste for seasoning and add more vinegar or salt, if you like. Transfer to a serving bowl.

5. In a bowl, toss the shrimp and remaining oil. Broil the shrimp, turning once, for 5 minutes or until the shells begin to char and the shrimp are firm and opaque. Serve the shrimp peeled or in their shells, with the sauce. Sheryl Julian. Adapted from “Tapas.’’