August 12, 2021

Sofrito de Puerto Rico

Have you heard about sofrito before? Well, Puerto Rican sofrito is a blend of spices, herbs and vegetables that is used as a base to cook many dishes. This mixture is rich in flavors with a savory aroma and is very easy to make. This is like Puerto Rican magic in the kitchen. Everyone makes it different with their own secret ingredients. You may see variations also because of the ingredients you find at the moment you make it

I started making sofrito of my own when I moved to Kansas City. When my Mom was not around to save me a portion of hers. While I didn’t make it for myself, I remember helping my mom make it and is a memory I cherish to this day. I want Isabella to learn how to make it too, so one day she can cook her very own Puerto Rican dishes and pass it through the generations to come.

As a base I use Wilo Benet’s recipe and tweak it a little to my taste and to the ingredients I can find in Kansas City. So here it is!

(Makes 3 Cups) Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil (not extra virgin)

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

12 garlic cloves, peeled

3 cubanelle peppers, seeds and inner white ribbings removed, roughly chopped

1 bunch cilantro

1/2 cup fresh oregano

1 Roasted bell pepper

Procedure:

In a blender combine the olive oil with the vegetable oil. Add the onion and garlic and process for about 30 seconds. Add the cubanelle peppers , blend for 30 more seconds. Add the cilantro and oregano and blend again.

Add the roasted bell pepper and blend again for about 30 seconds.

When all is mixed, I like to add powdered cumin and dry oregano to the mixture. This is optional and you can add to taste.

Divide the mixture in plastic bowls. I like to keep one in the fridge immediately and save the others in the freezer.

There’s other ingredients that you can add like ajies dulces, recao and culantro. I don’t add them because I’m not able to find them near where we live.