Last updated on September 18th, 2018
Easy weeknight meal – bright and creamy romesco sauce layered over wild rice and topped with roasted beets and green garlic. Protein-rich cannellini beans add twist on a classic sauce – from Vegetarian Heartland: Recipes for Life’s Adventures by Shelly Westerhausen.
I’ve heard it’s healthy to eat a wide variety of colors – the theory being that you’ll consume a range of nutrients. With that in mind, this dish from my friend Shelly’s new cookbook – Vegetarian Heartland: Recipes for Life’s Adventures – is the healthiest recipe on the planet. She wins! (But also, does this mean that rainbow sherbet ice cream is healthy…?).
Vegetarian Heartland is packed with uncomplicated seasonal recipes that make vegetarian cooking and eating an exciting adventure. Shelly takes on classics, adding a hint of the unknown – a little twist. This creamy romesco does just that with cannellini beans blended in to make the sauce extra velvety and creamy while also adding protein.
I’d like to kiss Shelly for this romesco sauce. I love it so much I’d also like to write a haiku in its honor.
Dear Romesco Sauce,
You make my tastebuds frolic.
Get in my belly.
The most magical part of this romesco sauce – besides everything about its layered flavor – is the fact that the recipe makes 3 cups, giving you leftovers for a week. I’ve been so busy this week and having this flavor-bursting sauce to put on roasted veggies as a quick dinner is everything right now.
While following Shelly’s blog, I’ve always been enchanted by her ability to effortlessly use spices and seasonings to lend multiple notes to a single dish (remember the mini pimento mac & cheese bites she made for my #cheesebabyshower?). Almost a year ago, I finally met Shelly in real life on a Midwest retreat and was instantly drawn to her warmhearted openness – a trait that reads in her writing and recipes.
With the same spirit, Shelly’s cookbook entices you to go on adventures too – in life and through cooking. Whether trying new vegetables and cooking techniques, or treating her recipes as guidelines to swap in what’s in season where you live, Shelly sets you out on a delicious exploit, fully equipped.
So I heeded her advice and roasted green garlic for the first time (I also subbed in wild rice for the farro to make it gluten-free). With the romesco sauce tying it all together, you really can’t go wrong. I’ve not been reserving it just for dinner either. On lunch repeat this week? Romesco and a spoonful of fresh basket ricotta over toast and I look forward to it all day.
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- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mixed wild rice, rinsed
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 medium beets, any color, scrubbed, trimmed, and cut into eighths
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 stalks green garlic, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained
- 12 oz roasted red peppers from a water-packed jar, drained (I used from an oil-packed jar because that's what I could find!)
- 2 large garlic cloves, peeled
- ½ cup slivered raw almonds
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the rice and sauté for 30 seconds, then add the water and salt. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is chewy with some of the grains bursting open, about 40-50 minutes (depending on the rice - check your variety for instructions). Drain any water that wasn't absorbed and fluff with a fork.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line one large baking sheet and one small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the beets with 1½ tablespoon olive oil, ¾ teaspoon salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, and pepper. Spread into an even layer on the large baking sheet.
- Toss the sliced green garlic with ½ tablespoon olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt and spread into an even layer on the small baking sheet.
- Roast, stirring halfway through, until the vegetables soften and begin to brown, about 20 minutes for the garlic and about 30 minutes for the beets. Remove from the oven and toss with lemon juice.
- Meanwhile prepare the romesco. In a high-speed blender or food processor, blend together the beans, roasted red peppers, garlic, almonds, tomato paste, parsley, vinegar, paprika, and pepper flakes.
- With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and blend until a smooth sauce forms, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To serve, scoop the wild rice into bowls or on plates, top with romesco sauce and roasted beets and green garlic. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Karlie -
May 25, 2017 at 3:36 amThis is SO gorgeous! I can’t wait to see her new book. xx
Abby @ Heart of a Baker -
May 25, 2017 at 6:34 amI can’t get over how gorgeous the colors of this dish are! I also am excited to get my hands on Shelly’s book, it looks incredible!
Carla -
May 25, 2017 at 4:44 pmThis romesco was AMAZING, I kind of need to steal your jar. (Or buy the book and make it myself. I GUESS THAT WORKS TOO.)
Shelly @ Vegetarian 'Ventures -
May 25, 2017 at 4:53 pmSarah! I can’t stop smiling after reading this post! First off, this is seriously the prettiest plate of vegetables I’ve ever set eyes on! And thank you so much for all the kind words about the cookbook and me (and for putting up with hanging out with me not once but TWICE in person. ha). Finally, rainbow sherbet is definitely the healthiest food ever. ; )
Denisse | Le Petit Eats -
May 25, 2017 at 5:11 pmThat romesco sauce is SO vibrant! I’ve been hearing lots about this book lately, I just might have to go pick it up and see what all the fuss is about…if the rest of the recipes are anything like this lovely dish I’m sure I’ll fall in love with it!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen -
May 28, 2017 at 3:48 amSo much amazing colour and flavour going on – especially that romanesco sauce! Love the use of cannellini beans <3 (and sign me up for a week of sauce leftovers)
Dana Leigh Lyons -
May 30, 2017 at 7:10 pmBeautiful post…beautiful recipe…beautiful finds. Thank you!
R.Alderfer -
July 9, 2017 at 6:16 pmI made this recipe with a mix of beets, used basmati rice (too impatient with cooking wild rice), and put some ricotta salata on top. It was fabulous, my husband loved it! Will be recommending this to others.
Sarah Menanix -
July 10, 2017 at 1:23 amThis makes me so happy! I’ve got a batch frozen and ready for some summer veggies! The ricotta salata sounds amazing on top – more cheese please, always:)
Danielle Glover -
July 11, 2017 at 8:28 amI made this last night for my girlfriend and I and we both loved it! We got the beets from the farmer’s market and the sauce was great. Whole Foods didn’t have green garlic so they suggested shallots with the stalk, it seemed to work well. It made much more than two servings though so we can have some for lunch today!
Mary -
October 29, 2017 at 8:39 amI like your sense of humor – subscribing.
Rachel -
October 12, 2018 at 10:39 amThis may be a silly question, but did you peel the beets at any point? I’ve never had beets with skin on and peeling the skin is my least favorite part!
Sarah Menanix -
October 19, 2018 at 2:54 pmHi! Not a silly question at all! If I’m roasting beets whole, I usually don’t peel them and then just slide the skin off when it’s done roasting. For these sliced beets, you’re in luck – I didn’t peel them either – just make sure you scrub them really well! The romesco is such a strong flavor that it masks any bitterness you might get from the beet skin.