Not Your Regular Nachos: Spanish Nachos

August 14, 2008

Last weekend I was at my parents house in Sonoma County and the weather was wonderfully warm. After consuming a large lunch, I decided to enjoy a light, Spanish-style dinner. The Spanish often eat a dinner of cold cuts, olives, and cheese. Bread or breadsticks normally accompany these simple meals. I took this concept and translated it into a nacho variation. I baked small thin breadsticks topped with Manchego cheese until crisp and melty. Next I topped them with a homemade romesco sauce. Romesco is a typical Spanish sauce made with roasted red peppers and almonds. When served with garlic stuffed olives and fresh jamon, these nachos were salty and delicious! To learn how I made them, read more.

Modified form Food and Wine magazine

Spanish Nachos

Ingredients

For the Romesco:
2 medium red bell peppers
1 cup salted roasted almonds, chopped (4 ounces)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 large garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
For the Nachos:
1/2 cup grated Manchego cheese
8-10 two inch long, flat Italian or Spanish style breadsticks, crackers, or flatbread
1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese
slices of jamon Serrano or prosciutto and green olives, optional for serving

Directions

Make the romesco: Roast the pepper directly over a gas flame or under a preheated broiler until blackened all over. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Peel; discard the stem and seeds. Coarsely chop the pepper.
In a food processor, process the roasted pepper with the almonds, vinegar, parsley, and garlic to a paste. With the machine on, slowly blend in the olive oil. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and season with salt.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Top each breadstick with a heaping teaspoon of grated cheese.
Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown, 6-8 minutes.
Dollop a little of the romesco sauce on each nacho (reserve the rest of the romesco for another use). Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
Serve immediately with ham and olives.

Serves 1 and makes about 1 1/2 cups of romesco sauce.