Sofrito (Spanish tomato sauce)

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A Catalan tomato sauce which is used in many Spanish recipes. This is not to be confused with the Italian 'soffrito' which does not include tomatoes.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 6 Cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 400g tomatoes, peeled and grated or mashed
• Salt
• Pinch of sugar

Method

1. Put some oil in a pan on a low heat and add the garlic.
2. When the garlic begins to rise in the oil, add the onions and allow to cook for about 20 minutes until the onions are beginning to caramelise. Be careful not to burn the garlic though.
3. Increase the heat and add the tomato, a little salt and the sugar.
4. Cook until the juice from the tomato has evaporated. The mixture should be fairly thick.

Variations

You can include paprika and/or finely chopped sweet peppers if you wish.