Sofrito Cubano

Sofrito is the base of many typically Cuban recipes. It is the aromatic preparation of fresh vegetables and herbs lightly fried together. It isn't the flavor itself but about building layers of flavor. In our home in Cuba, they used to chop all the ingredients(with exception of the bay leaf) in a blender and store in a jar with olive oil on the top. It lasts up to a week, and would be doled out as needed and then the bay leaf would be added; sautéed and simmered as directed. The secret to a good sofrito is to let it simmer a while so that all the tastes can marry. Many times when there was no saffron to add we would use "bijol" which can be found in Latin grocery stores or where Goya spices are sold.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 1 jar of condiment

Ingredients

• 30  cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 3  green bell peppers, chopped (we always use a combination of all three) or 3  yellow bell peppers (we always use a combination of all three) or 3  red bell peppers (we always use a combination of all three)
• 3  large onions, chopped
• 10 -12  garlic cloves, chopped (or more if desired)
• 2 -3  bay leaves (to taste)
• 1  pinch ground cumin (to taste)
• 1  pinch dried oregano (to taste)
• 3⁄4 cup  amontillado sherry wine (to taste)
• 4 -6  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  pinch saffron
•  capers (to taste) (optional)
•  pimento stuffed olive (to taste) (optional)
•  salt (to taste) (optional)
•  fresh coarse ground black pepper (to taste) (optional)
• 1  pinch red pepper flakes (to taste, added for personal preference)

Directions

1. Sauté tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, bay leaves, cumin and oregano in oil slowly until all vegetables are limp.
2. Add Sherry and let simmer.
3. If you add the salt, taste beforehand as you might not need it at all.