Blond Soffritto Base Recipes

BLOND SOFFRITTO BASE

Steps:

• Place celery in the bowl of a food processor; process until minced (you should have about 1 cup). Repeat process with carrots (you should have about 1 cup).
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add celery, carrot, and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is no longer steaming and vegetables are caramelized, about 1 hour.

SOFFRITTO

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until the oil is almost smoking and slides easily in the pan, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onions and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are tender and translucent. Add the carrots and celery, reduce the heat to medium, and cook the vegetables, stirring often, for about 3 hours, until the soffritto is a deep brown caramel color and the vegetables are almost melted. If the vegetables start to sizzle and stick to the bottom of the pot, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking. Use the soffritto or let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to several months.

SOFFRITTO

Steps:

• Soak mushrooms in 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water for about 30 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in large frying pan.
• Stir in onions.
• Cook for two minutes over medium heat, stirring.
• Add minced garlic.
• Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until onions are soft.
• Add parsley and basil, and cook until the parsley loses its intense green color.
• Remove mushrooms from soaking liquid, and set liquid aside.
• Add tomatoes and mushrooms to pan.
• Strain mushroom soaking water and add with spices to mixture.
• Simmer over low heat until water reduces, about thirty minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and freshly milled pepper.
• When cooked, this can be used immediately, or poured into ice cube trays.
• When the mixture is frozen, remove from the trays and save in the freezer in a plastic bag.
• Use the cubes as needed as a flavoring/base for soups and stews.

BLONDE SOFFRITO BASE

Steps:

• In a large straight-sided skillet, combine red onion, celery, and fennel. Add oil, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are the color of straw, about 45 minutes. Use immediately, or cool to room temperature and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 6 months.

SOFRITO

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.