RECAITO
There really is no translation for this mixture of onion, garlic, peppers and green herbs. Recao is culantro in Puerto Rican-speak, so this seasoning is called recaito, or "little culantro." You can buy it in bottles in some ethnic grocery stores but why? when it's so simple to make. Use in dishes like Cuban black beans or Puerto Rican style pot roast, where you want the flavor but not the color or extra liquid that you have in a sofrito. Culantro is the defining flavor.
Provided by SusieQusie
Categories Onions
Time 13m
Yield 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place the onion and garlic in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade.
- With the motor running, add the remaining ingredients, one at a time and process, until the mixture is smooth.
- Set aside the amount you need for the recipe you're preparing.
- Pack the remaining recaito in ½-cup portions in sealable plastic bags and store in freezer.
- *** Cooks notes:
- *** Ajices Dulces, also known as cachucha or ajicitos are tiny sweet peppers with a hint of heat. They range in color from light to medium green and yellow to red and orange. They add freshness and an herby note to anything you cook. Do not mistake them for Scotch bonnet or Habanero chilies (which they look like)--those two pack a wallop when it comes to heat.
- *** Culantro is not cilantro. It has long leaves with tapered tips and serrated edges. When it comes to flavor, culantro is like cilantro times ten.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 57.1, Fat 0.2, Sodium 9.8, Carbohydrate 13.1, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 3.4, Protein 1.9
SOFRITO (DAISY MARTINEZ)
This is a staple of any Puerto Rican household. Some of the ingredients are hard to find in US grocery stores so notes are provided on substitutions.
Provided by threeovens
Categories Onions
Time 15m
Yield 4 cups, 40 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 6.1, Sodium 0.9, Carbohydrate 1.4, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.6, Protein 0.2
SOFRITO- PUERTO RICAN COOKING BASE (RECAITO)
Sofrito is a general term for a Latin cooking base. It is used in Italian and Spanish cuisines, and across Latin America and the Caribbean and beyond to add delicious flavor to soups, meat, braises, and more. It is a puree of peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. In nearly any recipe where you might start by chopping these...
Provided by Margaret G
Categories Other Sauces
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Wash and chop all ingredients into rough chunks. No need to remove the cilantro stems, as they are tender and flavorful.
- 2. Using a food processor (a blender is not recommended), process sofrito, in batches if necessary, until finely incorporated, but not liquified.
- 3. Using dedicated ice cube trays (don't use the trays for ice cubes after using for sofrito or your drink will taste BAD!), freeze sofrito in cubes, then, if desired, transfer to freezer bags for long term storage. Each cube is about a tablespoon, but measuring is not super important. Flavor is good, give or take a little! Fresh sofrito lasts about a week in the fridge. Just pop a cube or two or 3 into your saute pan to start your cooking, or thaw and stuff under chicken skin before roasting. The possibilities are endless!
- 4. I have two other Puerto Rican recipes that feature sofrito- Sopa de Salchichon ("salami soup") and the official dish of Puerto Rico, Arroz con Gandules ("Rice with pigeon peas").
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