Name: Very Versatile Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds red bell peppers (3-4 medium); 3 large cloves garlic, unpeeled; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, preferably aged; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Very Versatile Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

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This smoky, tangy sauce takes flavor cues from ajvar, a roasted red pepper spread from the Eastern Mediterranean. Toss it with pasta, mix it with roasted eggplant for a dip, or cook up some baked fish wraps (see Associated Recipes).

Andrea Nguyen

Updated on September 19, 2023

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds red bell peppers (3-4 medium)
3 large cloves garlic, unpeeled
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar, preferably aged
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Position a rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Halve peppers lengthwise and discard stems and seeds. Place the halves, cut-side down, on the prepared pan along with garlic.
Broil, flipping often, until the peppers are charred in many spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the peppers to a bowl and loosely cover with the foil. Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes. Place the garlic on a small plate.
Peel the peppers and garlic. Transfer the garlic to a food processor and add paprika, salt and cayenne; process to finely chop the garlic. Add the peppers and vinegar; process until pureed. With the machine running, slowly pour in oil through the feed tube. Let the sauce stand for 10 minutes before serving.

To make ahead

Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Serve at room temperature.

Associated Recipe

Baked Fish & Kale Lavash Wraps

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

53	Calories
4g	Fat
4g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Serving Size 2 Tbsp.
Calories 53
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 4g	2%
Dietary Fiber 1g	5%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 1g	1%
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 1g	3%
Vitamin A 1980IU	40%
Vitamin C 121mg	134%
Folate 26mcg	7%
Sodium 163mg	7%
Calcium 7mg	1%
Iron 0mg	2%
Magnesium 8mg	2%
Potassium 134mg	3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.