Recaito is a flavorful Puerto Rican sofrito made with a blend of fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices. It is a staple ingredient in many Puerto Rican dishes, adding a rich, aromatic base to stews, soups, rice dishes, and more. This versatile condiment is easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients.
This article provides three delicious recaito recipes that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. The Classic Recaito recipe is a traditional version that uses fresh cilantro, culantro, green bell pepper, onion, garlic, and achiote oil. For a more vibrant and herbaceous flavor, try the Cilantro-Heavy Recaito, which features an abundance of fresh cilantro and a touch of mint. And for a vegan alternative, the Vegan Recaito offers a savory and flavorful sofrito made with a combination of vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and a detailed ingredient list, ensuring that you can easily create this essential Puerto Rican ingredient in your own kitchen. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recaito recipes will guide you through the process of making this flavorful sofrito that will elevate your culinary creations.
RECAITO RECIPE CARD: CILANTRO BASE
A savory concentrate which forms the basis of stews, rice, and bean dishes in Latin America and the Caribbean. Because of the fresh ingredients, this recipe is preservative free!
Provided by Analida Braeger
Categories Main dish
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Wash cilantro thoroughly.
- Cut the lower stems of the cilantro and discard.
- With a pair of kitchen shears cut the cilantro bunch into 3 parts and place in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients, and push the on button.
- Let it run for about 3 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds to stir the ingredients around.
- The final texture should appear chunky.
- When finished, recaito should be stored in the freezer. The best way to store is in a covered ice cube tray. If you don't have one, use a regular ice cube tray.
- When the cubes are frozen, remove and place in a covered container.
- Recaito will keep in your freezer for about 3 months.
- You should be able to get close to 12 cubes of recaito from this recipe. Note the nutrition information is based on a 2 Tbsp cube.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 44 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 1229 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
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
PUERTO RICAN SOFRITO (RECAITO)
In Puerto Rico, recaito is used as the base seasoning sauce often known as sofrito. Here is a recipe for recaito aka Puerto Rican sofrito.
Provided by Hector Rodriguez
Categories Seasonings
Time 15m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Chop and blend all the ingredients in a food processor or blender .
- Use in your favorite soup, stew, bean, or rice dish, and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 19 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 2 mg, Sugar 1 g, Fat 0 g, ServingSize 1 quart (Serves 8 to 10), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
Tips:
- Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the spiciness of the recaito to your liking.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the ingredients by hand, but it will take a bit longer.
- Recaito can be used as a marinade, sauce, or condiment.
- Store leftover recaito in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Conclusion:
Recaito is a delicious and versatile Puerto Rican sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you are using it as a marinade, sauce, or condiment, recaito is sure to add a burst of flavor to your next meal. So, what are you waiting for? Try making recaito today and experience the amazing flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine!
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