There are certain food combinations that become the basis for an entire cuisine. The Cajun cooking of New Orleans depends on the trinity of celery, bell pepper and onion; the French live on a base of sautéed onion, shallot and finely chopped mushrooms called duxelles; and southern Indian cooks would be lost without a paste of ground ginger and garlic. Sofrito is the foundation upon which much of Puerto Rican and Latin American cooking is based, and adds a pop of flavor without additional salt. Cooked over low heat with oil (sofrito means lightly fried), the combination of peppers, onions and garlic release a glorious aroma and rich flavors, which only get better with time. Use as a base for beans, rice dishes or soups, or use as a condiment.
