sofrír

Sofrí r is a Spanish verb meaning to sauté or fry lightly in oil or fat, typically to soften aromatics such as onions, garlic, or peppers and to release their flavors before adding other ingredients. It is a fundamental cooking technique in many Spanish- and Latin American-based recipes, used to build flavor at the start of dishes.

Etymology and nuances: The verb is derived from freír and conveys a lighter or preparatory frying stage compared with freír, which implies fuller frying. The noun sofrito, derived from this verb, refers to the mixture of sautéed aromatics that serves as a flavor base for many soups, stews, sauces, and rice dishes.

Usage: In recipes, sofrír is described as cooking the aromatics in oil over low to medium heat until they are softened and fragrant, not until deeply browned. It forms the base for many regional dishes and can be followed by adding other ingredients or liquids.

Regional notes: While broadly understood across the Spanish-speaking world, the exact sense of sofrír and its relation to sofrito can vary by country and recipe. In some contexts, sofrír emphasizes the initial sauté, whereas in others the term sofrito may refer to the entire sautéed base.

See also: freír; sofrito.