Sofrito for paella is an essential element in Spanish cuisine. This key ingredient adds flavour and depth to meat or fish paella.
Here is a complete guide on how to make sofrito for paella and how to use it in different recipes.
Sofrito is a traditional Spanish tomato sauce, very similar to an Italian passata and used in a variety of Spanish dishes. Chopped onions, garlic, peppers and tomatoes are fried in olive oil until you obtain a rich and concentrated tomato sauce.
Step 5: add the tomatoes (10-12 minutes).
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the sofrito.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened and the mixture has a sauce-like consistency.
Step 1: Prepare paella sofrito ingredients (10-15 minutes)
- Onion: Peel and finely chop a large onion.
- Peppers: Clean and finely chop one red and one green pepper.
- Garlic: Peel and finely chop or crush 3 cloves of garlic.
- Tomato: Peel, seed and finely chop 3 medium tomatoes.
Sofrito for Paella | Helina Sanchez
FAQ
What does sofrito consist of?
What is the difference between Italian and Spanish soffritto?
What is paella traditionally made of?
What does sofrito the cooking base originally from Spain contain?
What is sofrito made out of?
In short, sofrito is a thick savory paste generally made out of tomato, garlic, onions, sometimes peppers, and sometimes fresh herbs. It’s the base of an infinite number of dishes, from Spanish paella to Colombian arroz con pollo, to soups, empanadas, egg dishes, and stews.
Does paella have a sofrito?
One of the most iconic dishes of Spanish cuisine, paella often starts with a sofrito base. The sauce infuses the rice and other ingredients with rich flavors. Apart from paella, sofrito can be used in dishes like arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) and risotto to enhance the overall flavor profile.
How do you make a sofrito?
To make the sofrito, heat the oil and gently cook the onions, not allowing any browning, until translucent and soft, 8 -10 minutes. Add the garlic, and the green bell pepper, and cook until these soften and fall apart a bit. Add the wine, and allow to the alcohol to evaporate – a few minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, the rosemary and salt.
What is sofrito used for in paella?
Sofrito is a key ingredient when cooking paella. It provides one of the foundations to the dish, as it rounds the flavour of the stock and provides sweetness and depth to the rice. Sofrito is a traditional Spanish tomato sauce, very similar to an Italian passata and used in a variety of Spanish dishes.