Make a 43things Cookbook

So, I know I’ve written about this in other goals. But since I won’t be bale to find it, here goes. This is a basic sauce that is added to many dishes, and can be used to cook chicken, fish, poached eggs, black beans. So that the beans don’t dry out, cook the beans separately until done, then add the sofrito, and salt and pepper to taste.

9 medium sized roma tomatoes, minced (or canned)
1 medium sized yellow onion, or half a white onion (never use red—too mild), minced
6 cloves of garlic, crushed
half a medium green bell pepper, minced
1/4 cup of spanish olive oil (regular olive oil is o.k. but the taste is more authentic with spanish olive oil
1/4 cup of dry sherry

First, warm Spanish olive oil, until fragrant, then add onions, and sauté for 3 minutes or so, until they start to become translucent then add bell pepper and garlic, and sauté until garlic begins to brown (caramelize), then add tomatoes, and sherry. A variation is to also add a splash or two of balsamic vinegar. Let simmer for 15 minutes or so, until flavors blend, and alcohol evaporates. Salt and pepper to taste, a variation is to add cumin powder at the end, or seeds at the start (so they sauté in the oil first).

This is actually a sauce or marinade that I use for most of my asian dishes, whether it’s tofu, or chicken, etc. The base of it comes from the five things one of my Chinese medicine doctor teachers said every person needs to eat everyday for longevity to maintain good health. It’s based on the system of five elements and the five flavors associated with those elements….

sesame oil
ginger
garlic
rice vinegar
honey

I like to add some lime juice too, sometimes. I like that this combination of flavors is seen in many cultures:

meditarrean version:
olive oil
olives
cinammon/nutmeg
garlic
balsamic vinegar
grated carrots (for sweetness)

cuban/latin version:
spanish olive oil
pimentos
cilantro
garlic
balsamic vinegar
sweet bell peppers

So, normally I’m not a big fan of chicken salad, but I just had this at a friend’s party, and it was amazing. And I helped her make it, but don’t know exact quantities. Though I’m pretty comfortable in the kitchen, so I’m going to give it a try soon. I think this is simple enough and impressive and surprising enough to be ideal for potlucks.

cooked chicken cubes
mayo
vinegar
pineapple juice
green and red grapes, slice in half
mandarin orange slices
celery minced
cooked rice
thinly sliced almonds

I’m going to make it next week, and write down what I think good amounts might be.