Puerto Rican Sofrito From Scratch Recipe
Try this Puerto Rican Sofrito from Scratch, which is a Latin sauce-like flavorful mixture of onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. The Puerto Rican sofrito is a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine, full of aroma and flavors. You can have this with your meals, which will enhance and add flavor to your taste. This can also be herbal with a hint of spice in it. This sofrito is used in various Latin dishes, such as stews, rice dishes, bean dishes, and more. For more information, go through the list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions given below.
What is so special about the Puerto Rican Sofrito from Scratch Recipe?
What makes this Puerto Rican sofrito special is its distinct flavor, aroma, and taste. The combination of fresh ingredients gives this sauce a unique flavor. The base of the recipe is sofrito, which is also popularly used in Puerto Rican cooking. It is a representation of the small island’s traditional cooking methods, used in many other dishes as well. Making the sofrito from scratch also ensures the use of fresh ingredients. Moreover, you can make it spicy or medium, depending on the amount of ingredients. Thus, this sauce is very versatile and you can adjust the spices as per your taste.
How to make Puerto Rican Sofrito From Scratch Recipe
| Prep Time | 20 Minutes |
| Cooking Time – Stove | 10 Minutes |
| Total Time – Oven | 30 Minutes |
The primary ingredients of the Puerto Rican Sofrito from Scratch must be chopped and blended. This recipe’s preparation and cooking times can change based on how big the meal is and how well you cut, combine, and do other tasks. The components need to be chopped and prepared, which takes around 20 minutes. On the other hand, if we observe the cooking time, which includes an additional 10 minutes for the sofrito. Consequently, the entire meal can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
Puerto Rican Sofrito From Scratch Recipe Ingredients
- 2 medium Spanish onions, cut into large chunks
- 4 cubanelle peppers, stemmed, seeded, and cut into large chunks
- 1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and roughly chopped
- 4 ripe plum tomatoes, cored and cut into chunks
- 1 large bunch cilantro, washed and roughly chopped
- 18 medium cloves garlic, peeled
- 8 ajices dulces (optional)
- 4 leaves of culantro (optional)
- Kosher salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the ingredients: Wash, peel, and roughly chop the vegetables as indicated in the ingredients list.
- Blend: In a food processor or blender, combine the chopped onion, bell peppers, cubanelle pepper, cilantro, garlic cloves, and tomatoes (if using). Blend until you achieve a smooth paste-like consistency. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your blender or food processor.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the sofrito and add salt as needed. Remember, this sofrito will be used as a flavor base in other dishes, so it’s better to go easy on the salt at this stage.
- Store or use immediately: Sofrito can be used immediately in your recipes or stored for future use. If storing, you can portion it into ice cube trays, freeze, and then transfer the sofrito cubes to a freezer bag for convenient use later. Adding a thin layer of olive oil on top of each cube can help preserve it better in the freezer.
- When using frozen sofrito, simply take out the number of cubes you need and add them directly to your dish while cooking.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Antioxidant: The ingredients used in sofrito, like garlic, onions, tomatoes, and more, are rich in antioxidant properties that can boost your immunity and reduce chronic diseases in your body.
- Ingredients: The ingredients in the sofrito are nutrients rich with Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, fiber, and antioxidants. For more information, scroll down to check the Nutrition Fact table.
- Low in calories: Sofrito is a low-calorie and low-fat sauce that you can have with your meals. It adds flavor to your meals without adding any excess calories or unhealthy fats. It maintains a proper balanced diet for you.
- Immune-Boosting: The vitamin C content of peppers and tomatoes in sofrito can help support a healthy immune system.
- No Artificial Additives: Sofrito is made from fresh, natural ingredients, eliminating the need for artificial flavorings, preservatives, or high amounts of sodium.
- Digestive Benefits: The combination of garlic, onions, and herbs in sofrito can aid digestion and promote a healthy gut.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 15 kcal
- Total Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 3.6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
- Total Sugars: 1.4g
- Protein: 0.7g
Bottom Line:
Puerto Rican Sofrito is a versatile and flavorful condiment that adds depth and richness to a wide range of dishes. With its fresh and natural ingredients, it provides essential nutrients and antioxidants, making it a healthy and delicious addition to your meals. Whether used immediately or stored for future use, this homemade sofrito is a valuable staple in any kitchen, offering the taste of the Caribbean whenever desired.
FAQs:
What is Puerto Rican sofrito made of?
Puerto Rican sofrito is a fragrant aromatic puree made of peppers, onions, garlic, herbs, and olive oil, with cilantro being the magic herb that adds its unique flavor to the mixture.
What are the two types of sofrito?
There are two types of sofrito:
- Dominican sofrito, known as sazon, incorporates vinegar for a flavorful kick and annatto for color.
- Cuban sofrito is made with tomatoes and red bell peppers for sweetness and color, and it also contains diced ham.
What is green sofrito made of?
Green sofrito is traditionally made of bell peppers, onions, aji dulce peppers, garlic, cilantro, and recap. These ingredients are blended to create the flavorful green sauce used in many Latin American and Caribbean dishes.
Is homemade sofrito good for you?
Yes, homemade sofrito is good for you. The mix of tomato, olive oil, garlic, and onion in sofrito boosts the presence of polyphenols and carotenoids, which have health benefits like preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It is considered an essential component of the Mediterranean diet.
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