Tenderstem Broccoli with Romesco Pepper Sauce

This is the sort of recipe that I love to serve up to those who claim not to like vegetables or say that they're "boring". It's so packed full of flavour that I could quite happily eat this alone, although it is included as a side dish. The Romesco sauce is something of a "cheat's" version- it's simple to make and I'm sure that once you try it, you'll come back to it time & time again. You can even make up to step 2 or 3 in advance. Most Romescos contain tomatoes but I didn't want to detract from the sweet roasted red pepper flavour, which is balanced by acidic apple cider vinegar and giv

en a very subtle spice thanks to the inclusion of chilli. It really livens up the broccoli but you'll also probably be left with a little of the sauce, which can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for a few days.

Three great health benefits: boosts immunity, promotes healthy skin, good source of fibre.

Serves 2

Ingredients: 

1 red pepper, de-seeded with the green stem removed, & roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, skin left on
2 tbsp + 2 tsp olive oil (use extra virgin olive oil for the Romesco Pepper Sauce
1 small red chilli, de-seeded
3 tbsp ground almonds
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Sea salt and black pepper
200g tenderstem broccoli
2 tsp flaked almonds

Method: 

1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
2) Place the chopped red pepper and garlic clove in a roasting tin and drizzle with 2 tsp of the olive oil. Roast for 20- 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Peel the garlic (be careful if you do this while it's hot!).
3) To make the Romesco Pepper Sauce, whizz together the roasted red pepper (along with any oil from the roasting tin), garlic, chilli, ground almonds, apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and salt & pepper in a food processor. Set aside.
4) Next, heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a large pan or wok over a medium heat on the hob. Add the broccoli and stir fry until cooked but still firm. Place on a serving dish and drizzle with the Romesco sauce & sprinkle with the flaked almonds.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats