Sofrito
Sofrito is a very adaptable recipe that is used as a base in several Cuban, Puerto Rican and other Spanish dishes. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
Equipment
- 1 Large saucepan
- 1 Chef's Knife
- 1 Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1/2 c olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic* chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 onions* Spanish, white, sweet, yellow, scallions or shallots, peeled & diced
- 2 bell peppers* large red, yellow, orange or green, diced
- 5 Roma tomatoes* medium, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup cilantro* finely chopped fresh (or 4 tbsp dried - optional)
- 1 tbsp oregano* finely chopped fresh (or 1 tsp dried)
- Salt to taste
- black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- 1/4 c chorizo* chorizo, cooked ham, bacon, or salt pork (optional - omit for vegitatirans)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low heat.
- When the oil is hot, sauté garlic, bay leaf, onions, peppers, diced tomatoes, and meat (if using) until onions and peppers are soft.
- Stir in the tomato paste and allow to caramelize. Add the wine and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cilantro and oregano.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove the bay leaf.
- Puree the cooled mixture in a blender or food processor. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- You can use it right away in a recipe calling for sofrito or place the mixture in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate up to two weeks.
Notes
- Ingredients: Some versions do not use tomatoes but if using red bell peppers and tomatoes it will give this recipe a red to orange color.
- How to Use It: Sofritos, is used as a base for Picadillo (Cuban-style Hash), Arroz con Pollo (Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice), soups, stews, beans, and rice dishes.
- How to Store It: Make a large batch to use all week long and freeze a little for later. Store freshly made sofrito in a glass container in the refrigerator or freeze in 1/4 to 1/2 cup portions for use any time.
Nutrition
Calories: 82kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 731IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.4mg
