Sofrito

Sofrito—a blend of garlic, onions, peppers, and recao (culantro)—is the backbone of flavor for Puerto Rican dishes. Also referred to as recaito, it’s typically sautéed in oil as the foundation for sauces, braises, beans, stews, and rice dishes. It’s also adaptable: Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes for a lighter, more verdant flavor or sauté for 7 to 10 minutes and combine with tomato sauce for a richer flavor. This recipe yields a little more than 2 cups [540 ml]—probably more than you’ll use for a