Recaito (Puerto Rican Green Cooking Base)

1. Stage

Prep the ajies dulce:  Halve the ajies dulce. Use your finger to pull the stems out of the halved peppers and shake out the pepper seeds. Discard the stems and the seeds. Cut any pepper larger than a golf ball into quarters. Add the peppers to the bowl of a 14-cup food processor fitted with the metal blade. Cut onion into bite size pieces.

2. Stage

Blend the aromatics:  Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the bowl with the ajies and pulse 20 times or until the mixture is coarsely chopped. Scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula.

3. Stage

Prepare the recao and blend:  Use your hand to tear off 1 inch of the recao stems, removing the brown, dry ends and discard. Tear the recao into 2-inch pieces and add it to the food processor bowl along with the cilantro and oregano.  Pulse this mixture 25-30 times or until the recaito is finely minced and slightly chunkier than pesto.

4. Stage

Prepare the recaito for storing:  You can store your recaito in the fridge or the freezer. You can take half a batch and store in the fridge if you plan on cooking with recaito throughout the week and prepare the remainder in ice cube trays to freeze. To freeze recaito: Use the spatula or a spoon to scoop the prepared recaito into ice cube trays. Press the recaito into each ice cube mold and smooth the surface to level it. Press a piece of plastic film onto the surface of the recaito and repeat this process until you’ve filled as many trays as needed.  To store in the fridge: Take the recaito and place in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Though it is safe to use for up to 14 days in the fridge, the flavor becomes muddier the longer it sits in the fridge. 

5. Stage

Freeze the recaito: Freeze the recaito until solid (or 6 hours). Transfer the cubes of recaito to a freezer storage container or bag and store them for 6 months in the freezer.

6. Stage

Use the recaito in your favorite dishes:  To use the frozen recaito, allow it to thaw for 10 minutes before adding it to hot oil and sauteing to release its flavors. You can also add it, frozen to soups, beans, or recipes like picadillo. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!