Authentic Puerto Rican Sofrito

Authentic Puerto Rican Sofrito

Sofrito is the secret to many Hispanic Caribbean recipes. It is a fragrant aromatic puree of peppers, onions, garlic, herbs, and olive oil. The magic herb in this fragrant mixture is cilantro. My family’s Puerto Rican recipe produces a sofrito that is very flavorful, complex, and oh-so-delicious! Use it in soups and stews as well as in rice dishes. Freeze whatever portions will not be used within 2 weeks. They will keep for about 3 months in the freezer.

Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Yield:
4 16-ounce containers
Servings:
64

Ingredients

  • 1 large green bell pepper
  • 1 large red bell pepper
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 10 sweet chile peppers (ajicitos dulces), seeded
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 bunch scallions, trimmed
  • 2 plum tomatoes, seeded
  • 25 cloves garlic, peeled and trimmed
  • 2 bunches fresh cilantro, ends trimmed
  • 2 bunches culantro
  • ¼ cup pimento-stuffed green olives
  • 5 large leaves Caribbean wild oregano (oregano brujo)
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • ½ cup olive oil, or more as needed
  • ¼ cup water

Directions

Step 1
Set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Step 2
Cut green bell pepper and red bell pepper in half from top to bottom; remove stems, seeds, and ribs. Place peppers cut-side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush with 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Step 3
Roast under the preheated broiler until skin on peppers has blackened and blistered, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag. Seal to let peppers steam as they cool, about 15 minutes. Remove skins under running water and discard. Chop flesh into large pieces.

Step 4
Place pepper pieces, sweet chile peppers, onion, scallions, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, culantro, olives, oregano, and capers in a blender or food processor. Blend, adding 1/2 cup olive oil and water in batches, until mixture is pureed but some chunks remain.

Step 5
Divide blended mixture among four 16-ounce containers, filling each 3/4 of the way. Top each with 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil to help preserve mixture. Close containers and refrigerate.

Cook’s Notes:

Substitute yellow onion with white Spanish onion if desired. Substitute green and red bell peppers for a cubanelle (Italian frying pepper) and a roasted red pepper if desired. If doing so, skip steps 1 to 3. Sweet chile peppers (ajicitos dulces) can be substituted with small Italian sweet peppers. If you are unable to find culantro, use 2 more bunches cilantro. If you are unable to find Caribbean oregano brujo, use 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried oregano instead. Plum tomatoes can be replaced with 2 teaspoons tomato paste. Substitute vinegar for water if preferred.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

29
Calories
2g
Fat
3g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 64
Calories 29
% Daily Value *
Total Fat2g 3%
Saturated Fat0g 2%
Sodium29mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate3g 1%
Dietary Fiber1g 2%
Total Sugars1g
Protein1g
Vitamin C42mg 209%
Calcium12mg 1%
Iron0mg 2%
Potassium92mg 2%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient.If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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