Soffritto is a gently fried mix of onion, celery, carrot, and aromatics, designed to add depth of flavour and fragrance to what might otherwise be a dull or bland dish. This recipe is for enough soffritto to make soup for 4 people.
Heat the oil in a large pan, and fry the onion over a medium heat until it begins to turn translucent.
Add the garlic, and continue to fry for another couple of minutes, until it loses its raw smell.
Stir in the celery, carrot, rosemary, and bay leaf, reduce the heat to its lowest setting, and gently fry for around 30-40 minutes, until the herbs and veggies have softened, the onions have turned golden, and the kitchen is filled with a delicious aroma!
Season the soffritto with freshly ground sea salt and black pepper.
Use this soffritto as the base for soups, sauces, and casseroles.