Beef and Potato Sofrito
Today we’re sharing a recipe from Jewish Soul Food for Beef and Potato Sofrito. The term sofrito refers to a technique rather than a specific dish. First, potatoes are briefly deep-fried and then added to a pot where beef or chicken has been slowly braising. The result is a golden-brown pot roast with meltingly tender meat and potatoes that have retained their shape despite the lengthy cooking.
Constance brought this recipe for spareribs, cabbage & sauerkraut with her and continued to make it for many years.
Beef and Potato Sofrito
(Serves 6 to 8)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 pounds stewing beef, such as chuck or brisket, sliced or cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dash of ground turmeric or sweet paprika
1 head of garlic, halved
½-cup boiling water, or more if needed
10 red or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- Heat half of the oil in a large heavy pot or casserole over medium-high heat. Add the meat and brown on all sides. Season with salt, pepper, and turmeric.
- Add the garlic and boiling water, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to the minimum, and cook for 2 hours. Add a bit of water if the liquid in the pot dries out. The idea is to cook the dish in as little liquid as possible
- While the meat is cooking, preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Arrange the potato wedges on a baking sheet, drizzle with the remaining oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are golden and crisp on the outside and partially cooked inside.
- Add the potato wedges to the pot with the meat (after it has cooked for about 2 hours).
- Cover and simmer on the lowest heat for another hour.
Variations
- Chicken Sofrito - substitute 10 chicken thighs and/or drumsticks for the beef.
- Substitute the same about of unpeeled fingerlings or other very small potatoes for the potato wedges.
- Add 6 to 8 very small, whole peeled onions together with the meat.
Enjoy!
For more great recipes from Jewish Soul Food buy your copy today, available on our website Shop.