Sofrito Sauce

Sofrito is a powerful staple sauce in Latin American kitchens everywhere. It works as a base for soups, stews, rices dishes, or as a condiment standing on it's own. If I had to explain it, I would say it's the Mother Sauce of Latin-Caribbean cooking. You can find variations of this sauce from Cuba, to Puerto Rico, to the Dominican Republic and beyond. I serve it often with my Latin-Caribbean Fried Chicken, or as a quick starter sauce to my Paella recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 cloves Garlic, minced

• 1 Green bell pepper, diced

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 tomatoes, chopped

• 3/4 cup Tomato sauce

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp Cumin, ground

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 2 Bay leaves

• 1/4 tsp pepper

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup dry white wine

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium skillet, add oil, garlic, onion, and peppers over medium-high heat. Sautee for 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is lightly toasted and peppers and onions become fragrant. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.

2. Toss around an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, until spices cover evenly, and liquids begin to evaporate.

3. Add tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, until the sauce begins to thicken and the oil begins to rise to the top. The edges should be browning, a little. Stir in white wine, drop in bay leaves, and reduce to a simmer.

4. Continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes. If needed, add a little water or broth to the sauce to keep it going while simmering. Just enough to keep it going.

5. Use this sauce as a condiment, or as a base to rice dishes, stews and soups.