Sofrito (stew) facts for kids
| Course | Stew |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Sephardic Jewish communities, Israel |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, lamb, beef, brains, meatballs or fish, potatoes, turmeric, cardamom, garlic, lemon juice |
Sofrito is a delicious meat stew. It is often made with chicken, lamb, or beef. The meat is cooked with potatoes, garlic, and spices like turmeric and cardamom. It simmers slowly in a small amount of water or broth, often with something sour like lemon juice or vinegar. This cooking style makes it similar to other stews, such as Hungarian chicken paprikash or Moroccan tagine.
History of Sofrito
Sofrito comes from the Sephardi Jewish communities. These were Jewish people who lived in Spain a long time ago. When they had to leave Spain, they took their recipes with them. They traditionally ate sofrito in places like the Balkans, the Levant, Turkey, and the Maghreb region of North Africa.
What's in Sofrito?
While chicken is the most common meat for sofrito, people also use lamb or beef. Sometimes, even fish or meatballs are used. The main vegetables are potatoes and garlic. The special flavors come from spices like turmeric and cardamom.
Different Ways to Make It
Recipes for sofrito can be a bit different depending on where you are. Some recipes use just a few spices, like turmeric and cardamom. Others might add more ingredients, such as paprika, onions, or different spice mixes. For example, some Egyptian styles of sofrito are known for being milder.
Sofrito Today
Today, sofrito is a very popular dish in Israel. Many families enjoy this warm and flavorful stew as part of their meals.
