Authentic Puerto Rican Sofrito

Recipesfull introduces to you: Cinco de Mayo Recipes. (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 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.

Brief

Prep 45 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Additional: 15 mins

Total: 1hr5 mins

Servings: 64

Yield: 4 16-ounce containers

Authentic Puerto Rican Sofrito

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

Broccoli Chicken Divan

Side Dish

Directions

Step 1

Set 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 the stem seeds and ribs. Place peppers cut sides down onto the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush with 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Step 3

Roast under the preheated broiler until the skin of the 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.

Nutritional Information

Authentic Puerto Rican Sofrito

Servings Per Recipe:64

Calories: 28.6

% Daily Value *

Protein: 0.5g 1%

Carbohydrates: 2.6g 1%

Dietary Fiber: 0.5g 2%

Sugars: 0.9g

Fat: 2g 3%

Saturated Fat: 0.3g 1%

Vitamin A Iu: 354.9IU 7%

Niacin Equivalents: 0.4mg 3%

Vitamin B6: 0.1mg 4%

Vitamin C: 41.8mg 70%

Folate: 10.6mcg 3%

Calcium: 12.3mg 1%

Iron: 0.3mg 2%

Magnesium: 5.6mg 2%

Potassium: 92.1mg 3%

Sodium: 28.9mg 1%

Calories From Fat: 18.3

*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.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.