Small Bowl of Xató Dressing

Xató / Romesco


Spain - Catalunya   -   Xató
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 6 oz
**
20 min
Yes		 This sauce, typical of Catalunya, is the dressing for Xatonada Salad, and also used as a dip for fish, seafood, vegies, etc. For another recipe see Romesco Sauce.




1
4
12

1/4
1/8
1/2
1/4

cl



t
c
c
Guajillo Chili (1)  
Garlic
Hazelnuts or (2)
  or Almonds
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil ExtV
Wine Vinegar (3)
Make   -   (20 min)
  1. Core and seed the CHILI. Break it up and run to powder in your spice grinder.
  2. If raw, toast HAZLENUTS or blanched ALMONDS until very lightly browned (see Note-2). Include some extras so you can sample for the roasted flavor. The brown skins of Hazelnuts should mostly rub off, but no need to get anal about it, a few patches of skin won't hurt. Cool and crush.
  3. In a mortar, or a mini food processor, mash together all Dressing Items, starting with the solids and finishing with the liquids. Add just a touch of water if the dressing seems too thick, but it should be thick enough to coat things dipped into it.
  4. Serve cold.
NOTES:

  1. Guajillo Chili:

      Ñora chilis are used in Spain, but scarce and very expensive in North America. Because Ñoras have little heat (500-1000 SHU) a small hot chili would be included. Guajillo Chilis are a good substitution, but are hotter (2500 - 5000 SHU) so we don't include the Hot Chili. Ancho Chili is also a good substitute, weight by weight, and is not much hotter than Ñoras (1000 to 1500 SHU), so the Hot Chili would also be used. Traditionally, the chilis are soaked and the flesh scraped off with the skins discarded, but with a whirling blade spice grinder this is not necessary.

  2. Hazelnuts / Almonds:

      Both these nuts are grown in great quantity in Catalunya. This sauce may be made with all blanched Almonds, all Hazelnuts, or half of each.

  3. Wine Vinegar

      Recipes vary in asking for red or white, so either can be used - but quality matters. I usually use an imported Italian wine vinegar, but California wine vinegars can also be very good (though harder to find).
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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