Smoked Paprika Sauce for Asparagus and Other Veggies

Elevate your vegetable dishes with this irresistibly smoky and creamy Smoked Paprika Sauce, perfect for asparagus and a variety of roasted or steamed veggies. Infused with the bold flavors of smoked paprika, cumin, and rich tomato paste, this sauce is balanced with a touch of red wine vinegar for tanginess and a luscious finish of heavy cream—or coconut milk for a dairy-free twist. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a versatile, flavor-packed addition to any meal, whether you're dressing up weeknight dinners or impressing guests at a dinner party. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, and watch your veggies transform into the star of the table!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small, finely chopped shallot
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cup heavy cream (or unsweetened full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option)
• 1 tablespoon, chopped (optional, for garnish) fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Add the smoked paprika and ground cumin, stirring constantly for 30 seconds to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.

Step 5

Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize and deepen its flavor.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth and whisk until well combined.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 8

Stir in the red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and heavy cream (or coconut milk, if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce is silky and heated through.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 10

Remove from heat and drizzle over steamed asparagus, roasted veggies, or any dish of your choice.

Step 11

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for garnish, if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(417.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	627.4

Total Fat 52.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 67.0mg	0%
Sodium 1790.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 33.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.1g	0%
Total Sugars 12.8g
Protein 8.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 137.9mg	0%
Iron 4.6mg	0%
Potassium 1036.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.6%

Protein: 5.5%

Carbs: 20.9%