Puerto Rican Sofrito Recipes

Steps:

• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine green peppers, red peppers ajies dulces, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Add cilantro, recao, salt, and pepper. Process to the consistency of semi-chunky salsa (not watery). Place in a resealable plastic freezer bag, and use as needed, or freeze in portions.

Steps:

• Pulse onion and Italian frying pepper or Cubanelle in the food processor until coarsely chopped.
• With the motor running, add remaining ingredients, one at a time, until mixture is smooth.
• Sofrito keeps 3 days in the refrigerator; freeze for longer storage (can be used without thawing).
• NOTES: Ajices Dulces, also known as cachuchua or ajicitos, are tiny peppers with only a hint of heat. They look similar to scotch bonnets or habaneros, so don't get them confused! If you cannot find them , use a little more cilantro and a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes.
• NOTE: Culantro has long tapered leaves with serrated edges. If you cannot find it, just leave it out.

Steps:

• Chop and fold together all ingredients until well combined. Store in an airtight container.