How do I make sofrito?!
Answers: I want to make sofrito like my kids abuela does in Puerto Rico but mine never taste anthing like I want it to...and I would use the sofrito by Goya that comes in the jar but I can't find it in the stores I shop at. If you know an authentic recipe can you give me full/exact details please!
My Basic Sofrito Recipe:
2 pounds- large green peppers
1 pound- medium size head of garlic
3 pounds- large onions
1- bunch of cilantro
1/2- vegetable oil
Add these items from your own "hortaliza"...
50- recao leaves
1 pound- ajies dulce (small sweet cooking peppers)
Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and chop coarsely. Add in the water a small amount at a time.Pour this mixture into icecube trays and freeze. Anytime you are going to cook some asopao, habichuelas, arroz con gandules, or your own carne guizada, just throw in 1-2 cubes of Sofrito. Add this mixture (to taste) to bean dishes, stews, soups, and anything else you want to spice up.
My variation for arroz con gandules is adding chopped "salt pork" (tocino) and jamon de cocinar (smoked ham) (especially the cueros (skins) from the jamón), and covering the whole caldero (pot) with banana leaves. (You can't beat the flavor)
Note: In order to skin the garlic cloves easily, separate all cloves and place in warm water overnight or longer and the skins will come right off.
Sofrito is a versatile, aromatic puree of tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, onions, and garlic. It's the foundation of many Latin Caribbean dishes. There are many variations of this recipe. You can freeze sofrito in 1/4 to 1/2 cup portions for use at any time.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 medium green peppers, seeds removed
* 1 red sweet pepper, seeds removed
* 2 large tomatoes
* 2 medium onions, peeled
* 1 head of garlic, peeled
* 1 bunch cilantro leaves
* 1/2 bunch parsley leaves
PREPARATION:
1. Chop and blend all the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Serves: Makes about 1 quart.
One user says:
"This recipe can't get any easier! Thanks for helping to make my Puerto Rican dishes sing with that great flavor that only a great sofrito can add! This is much better tasting than store bought sofrito. I make up batches of this and freeze it in 1/2 cup portions in plastic snack bags. You can also use ice cube trays dedicated to the sofrito."
They have sofrito rice and beans at a restaraunt near me ( a neuvo latino place called Paladar). It is fabulous! saute Onions and green peppers on a mix of butter and olive oil and garlic. Add a can of diced fire roasted tomatoes and a can of red beans (goya brand). Flavor with salt and pepper and a teaspoon of sugar. Simmer while preparing brown rice. Make the brown rice by melting butter in pan, toast the rice slightly - add chicken broth and bringto a boil - add lid and place on low. Cook for about 50 minutes. When done, add the tomato mixture to the rice mixture.Combine well and continue with the pan on the stove for a few minutes (about 3)
When I make this again I plan on making a chimichuri sauce to mix through before serving. You could also chop some cilantro and add it right before serving. as well as as dash of lemon or lime at the same time.
HTH
Sarah