Sofrito

Sofrito

Sofrito is the Italian name for onion, carrot and celery that has been sweated until tender. It’s the base for so many wonderful dishes from stews to soups and sauces. Having a jar of this in the fridge can save you a good 15-20 minutes prep time for mid week dinners.

The star anise is an unusual ingredients. It’s totally optional but as I learned from Heston Blumenthal, chef at the 2nd best restaurant in the world, it really enhances the ‘meaty’ flavours in the onions, rather than adding any actual anise flavours.

takes: about 60 minutes
makes: about 2 cups
2 large onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 sticks celery, diced
1/2 star anise, optional

1. Heat a few generous glugs of olive oil in a large saucepan. Add veg and the star anise, if using.

2. Cook, covered over a low-medium heat, stirring every 10 minutes or so until the veg are super soft and lightly golden. Will take about 30-45 minutes.

3. Pack the hot sofrito into clean glass jar and refrigerate until needed.

Variations for Fun

just onion – skip the carrot and celery and cook up a big batch of onion to have on hand.

onion-free – replace the onion with extra celery.

garlicky – feel free to add in a few cloves of finely chopped garlic.

Usage Suggestions

head start – use anywhere that you’d normally soften and onion to begin a dish like soups, stews, curries or pasta sauces.

soup – try it in this chunky veg soup.

stews – great in a slow cooked meat ragu or vegetarian ragu.

lentils – stir into cooked lentils.

Prepare Ahead?

Absolutely. Takes about 60 minutes.

Storage Best Practices

Store in a clean glass jar or other airtight container. Will keep in the fridge for 3-4 week, longer if you pack it into the jar while still hot. Can be frozen for up to 12 months.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

onions, star anise – pantry.

2 carrots, celery – keep for weeks and weeks in a plastic bag in the fridge. I usually don’t freeze because the texture goes rubbery when defrosted.

Problem Solving Guide

too bland? – make sure you keep cooking until everything is super soft.

too sweet? – the carrots tend to add loads of sweetness, you may prefer next time to skip the carrot or reduce the carrot by half.

burning – reduce the heat and add a little more olive oil or a splash of water. Remember to stir regularly and keep the pot covered.

Storage Suggestions

Will keep in the fridge for a few weeks.
OK to freeze.

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