Sofrito is a Spanish sauce that is made using a number of aromatic ingredients, cut into small pieces and then sautéed in cooking oil. This will typically include the likes of garlic, onion, tomatoes, and peppers. Though interestingly, the olive oil itself is considered to be one of the main ingredients – rather than simply a tool to prevent sticking to the pan!
This is true in Spanish cuisine at least. There are in fact numerous different variations of sofrito for Puerto Rico, Italy, and many other regions.
From here, the sauce is then very often used as a base in a host of different dishes. And that’s what we’re here to find out! What dishes can you use sofrito in? What are some of the different ways you can make it? And how do you ensure that it turns out perfect every time?
Read on to discover 12 authentic sofrito recipes that will help you to become a pro in no time flat.
1. Simple Sofrito Recipe
To start, let’s take a look at a simple sofrito recipe that you can use as your starting point.
This recipe will require:
- 8tbsp of extra virgin oil
- 4 sticks celery
- 2 carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 4 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
To make the sofrito, you will start by heating up the olive oil in a saucepan and frying the carrots, onion, and the celery with the garlic and herbs. The carrot, onion, and celery should be very finely chopped so that they aren’t large and crunchy. Keep this going until the bay leaves are golden – it should take about fifteen minutes.
Now you will take out the sprig of rosemary and bay leaves, season with the salt and pepper, and then serve warm. Easy!