Recaito and Sofrito are closely related, but not the same. Recaito is a greenish blend of herbs, seasonings and veggies (no tomato) typically added while cooking to infuse the traditional flavors that characterize many Puerto Rican dishes. Puerto Rican Sofrito is when you cook a thick sauce made with garlic, onions, peppers, bay leaf, alcaparrado, tocino/smoked ham, tomato sauce and some RECAITO in annatto oil/olive oil to make a base that is used as an aromatic flavor starter in Puerto Rican stews, soups or rices. Different countries have different kinds of sofrito/soffritto/refogado that convey their own particular flavors in their regional dishes all over the world.

Recaito is the typical seasoning base for many Puerto Rican dishes. It’s the key ingredient when making Puerto Rican sofrito (flavor base) for arroz con pollo, mojito criollo, carne guisada, stews, soups and beans among others.  Recao or culantro, is a long aromatic herb.  Home made recaito is absolutely delicious.  I dare to say every Puerto Rican has (or at least should) recaito in their fridge. My friend Bea says her kids always eat the food she prepares with my recaito and has asked for a lifetime supply. Ja!  I grow my own recao and make this batch about every two months.  I store some in recycled glass containers and freeze the rest in ice cube trays with lids. That way, I use as many recaito “ice cubes” I need for a recipe.

Recaíto

Ingredients

2 handfuls (bunches of culantro) recao

1 cup of seeded ají dulces (sweet peppers)

1/2 cup of cubanel pepper (pimiento de cocinar in PR or aji for Cubans)

1/2 of a large yellow union (coarsely chopped)

8 garlic cloves

1 tbsp of fresh oregano

handful of cilantro (cilantrillo)

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

1/8 cup of apple vinegar

Procedure

1.  Clean recao leaves.

2.  Put all ingredients in food processor and pulse until all ingredients are very finely chopped.  Almost pureed.

3.  Store in the refrigerator or freeze in ice cube trays with lids. (Mine are from Tupperware and OXO)