Spanish Sofrito
AI-generated illustration
Spanish Sofrito is a foundational flavor base used in countless dishes across Spain and Latin America. It's a slow-cooked mixture typically made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil, often seasoned with paprika. This aromatic sauce is the starting point for stews, rice dishes like paella, and bean recipes.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
As a vegetable-based sauce, Sofrito is generally low in protein and carbohydrates but can be moderate in fat depending on the amount of olive oil used. It provides key nutrients like lycopene from tomatoes, vitamin C, and antioxidants from the garlic and onions, with a rough calorie range of 50-100 per serving.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Sofrito is considered the 'secret soul' of many Spanish kitchens, with family recipes often passed down for generations. Nutritionally, the slow cooking process enhances the bioavailability of lycopene in tomatoes, making it a potent source of this heart-healthy antioxidant.