Chilindron Sauce

Chilindron is a sofrito which is a basic tomato sauce used in Spanish, Latin American and Caribbean Island cooking, particularly Puerto Rico and Cuba. It can be made in quantity and stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks or sauteed at the last minute. This is a great sauce for meat such as chicken or rabbit. It's also great over pasta and rice. Posted for Zaar World Tour 05

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1  garlic clove, chopped
• 1  onion, sliced into rings
• 1  green pepper, seeded and cut into strips
• 1  red pepper, seeded and cut into strips
• 1  pinch saffron
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon paprika
• 1  pinch cayenne
• 2  cups smoked ham, diced (serrano)
• 1  tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 1⁄2 cups tomato sauce

Directions

1. Saute the garlic in the olive oil for 10 minutes.
2. Add the onion and peppers; saute until tender.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.