Sofregit ~ Catalan Tomato Sauce
Sofregit is a simple sauce made from simmering onion and bell pepper in olive oil and tomato sauce until thick. Also known as sofrito, it's a foundation for many authentic Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese dishes.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- A few generous pinches kosher salt
- 1 small green or red bell pepper, finely chopped
- One (15-oz) can tomato sauce
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the oil until it shimmers. Add the onion and salt and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring often to prevent burning, until the onion is translucent, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the bell pepper and cook until the onion turns very soft and pale golden and the pepper is tender, 15 to 20 minutes more. Give it time. When it’s ready, the onion will fall apart in your fingers.
- Add the tomato sauce, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours. You should see only a few bubbles here and there as the sauce cooks. The sofregit is finished when it’s reduced to a thick, chunky consistency that falls from a spoon in a dollop. You’ll end up with about 1 1/2 cups sofregit. (You can refrigerate the sofregit for up to several days or freeze it by spooning it into ice cube trays in 2-tablespoon portions and then placing in the freezer until frozen throughout. Pop the sofregit out of the trays and place them in a resealable plastic bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before using or add them directly to the pan for dishes that will be simmering.)
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 539mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g