Grilled Asparagus with Manchego Cheese and Romesco Sauce

This is a great tapas or starter for any dinner party. The romesco sauce can be made well in advance and the asparagus can be cooked very quickly in a hot frying pan, grill or barbecue. You can serve it as an individual dish or as a platter for everyone to help themselves. This dish is also a very healthy option for mid-week dinner with a piece of grilled fish. Romesco sauce is a classic Spanish red pepper and almond sauce, very similar to pesto which originated in the city of Tarragona. Romesco sauce works really well as a dip, with any type of fish or chicken dish or as a flavouring ingredient to soups, sauces or dressings. Romesco sauce is traditionally served with Calçots, a young tender spring onion which is barbecued and eaten whole, once dipped in plenty of romesco sauce.