 Sofrito being prepared in Spain | |
| Region or state | Latin American, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Garlic, onion, peppers, and tomatoes |
| Ingredients generally used | Olive oil |
Sofrito (Spanish:[soˈfɾito]),sofregit (Catalan:[sufɾəˈʒit]),[1]soffritto (Italian:[sofˈfritto]),sofrit (French:[sofʁi]),refogado (Portuguese:[ʁɨfuˈɣaðu]) orsueztitze (Basque:[s̺ues̻ˈtits̻e]) typically consists of aromatic ingredients cut into small pieces andsautéed orbraised incooking oil for a long period of time over a low heat, then used as a foundation for a variety of dishes. It is a basic preparation inMediterranean andLatin American cooking.
In modern Spanish cuisine,sofrito consists ofgarlic,onion andpeppers cooked inolive oil, and optionallytomatoes orcarrots. This is known asrefogado, sufrito, or sometimes asestrugido inPortuguese-speaking nations, where only garlic, onions, and olive oil are considered essential, tomato andbay laurel leaves being the other most common ingredients.[2] InItalian cuisine, chopped onions, carrots andcelery isbattuto, and then, slowly cooked in olive oil, becomessoffritto. It may also contain garlic,shallot, or leek.
The wordsofrito derives from the Spanish verbsofreír, meaning 'to stir-fry'.[3]
The earliest mentioned recipe ofsofrito, from around the middle of the 14th century, was made with only onion and oil.[4]
InItalian cuisine, chopped onions, carrots andcelery isbattuto,[5] and then, slowly cooked[6] in olive oil, it becomessoffritto.[7] It may also contain garlic,[8]shallot, or leek.[9]
InGreek cuisine,sofrito is a dish that is found almost exclusively inCorfu. It is served less commonly in other regions of Greece and is often referred to as 'Corfu sofrito' outside of Corfu. It is made with veal or beef, slowly cooked with garlic, wine, herbs, sugar and wine vinegar to produce an umami sauce with softened meat. It is usually served with rice and potatoes.
.jpg)
In Venezuelan cuisine,sofrito oraliño has four main ingredients: garlic, onions, bell pepper and sweet chili (ají dulce) generally fried in corn oil. Sometimes other secondary components are added such as tomato, spring onions, parsley or coriander, depending on the dish.
InCuban cuisine, the main components ofsofrito are Spanish onions, garlic, and green or red bell peppers.Ají cachucha is also often used instead of or in addition to bell peppers. It is a base for beans, stews, rices, and other dishes, includingropa vieja andpicadillo. Optional ingredients include tomato sauce, dry white wine, cumin, bay leaf, and cilantro.Chorizo (a kind of spicy, cured sausage),tocino (salt pork) andham are added for specific recipes, such as beans.[10]
InDominican cuisine, the standard ingredients ofsofrito orsazón are chopped cubanelle pepper or bell pepper, red onion, garlic, andlippia (Jamaica oregano). Optional ingredients include cilantro, culantro, celery, tomato paste or fresh tomatoes,sour orange,vinegar, or sweet chili peppers. Dominicans also add alcaparrado (olives) for some dishes.[11]
InPuerto Rican cuisine, the sofrito gets its characteristic flavor and green color from the addition ofrecao (culantro), and is sometimes interchangeably calledrecaíto.[12] Family recipes vary but ingredients may include a combination ofrecao (culantro),aji dulce,cubanelle peppers,bell peppers,pimiento,white or yellow onion,garlic,cilantro, and Alcaparrado (pitted manzanilla olives,pimientos andcapers).[13] Sofrito is often made in large batches and blended, bottled and stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Tomato is a controversial and less common ingredient in Puerto Rican sofrito, but it may be added. The reason many Puerto Rican sofrito recipes omit tomatoes is because some traditional dishes, likePernil, call for sofrito without any tomato.[14] Tomato sauce can always be added at a later stage in cooking if the recipe calls for it, such as inarroz con gandules.
InFilipino cuisine,ginisá is a culinary term that refers to a base of garlic, onions, and tomatoes sautéed together with cooking oil. It is essentially similar to the Spanishsofrito.[15][16]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)