Sofrito is a traditional base sauce used in various cuisines, particularly in Latin American, Caribbean, and Spanish cooking. It is a flavorful mixture of aromatic ingredients that is used as a foundation for many dishes.
Sofrito
Servings
4
servingsPrep time
30
minutesCooking time
8
minutesHere’s a basic recipe for sofrito. The exact ingredients and preparation methods can vary by region and recipe, the core components of sofrito typically include:
Ingredients
1 large onion, finely diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
2 ripe tomatoes, diced or 1 cup of tomato puree
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and translucent.
- Add the diced green and red bell peppers to the pan and continue sautéing for another 4-5 minutes until they soften.
- Add the diced tomatoes or tomato puree to the pan, along with the cilantro, dried oregano, and ground cumin. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld together and the sauce to thicken.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let the sofrito cool down.
- Once cooled, transfer the sofrito to an airtight container or divide it into smaller portions for storage.
- You can refrigerate sofrito for up to a week or freeze it for several months. It can be used as a base for various recipes.