6 Tips and Recipes to Help You Master the Art of Latin Cooking

Sofrito is the basis, the essence, the foundation to tasty Latin eats. It varies depending on the dish, but the basic concept is that it consists of sautéing diced vegetables and spices/herbs in canola or vegetable oil on medium to high heat, then using that to season certain dishes. Your sofrito is done before the garlic starts to brown and the onions are translucent. "For me, the basic sofrito will always consist of onion, garlic, green pepper, cumin, oregano, and a packet of Sazón Goya sin achiote (that little orange packet of seasonings we all rave about), but it can vary depending on your culture, preference, and the recipe you're making," Herrera says.