Sofritas: The Open House That Led to Dinner
Updated: 23 hours ago
Sometimes a recipe comes from a craving. Sometimes it comes from experimenting in the kitchen. And sometimes, apparently, it comes from hosting an open house and making new friends. 😃
A few weeks ago, I was hosting an open house in PGA West in Palm Desert. One of the agents in my office needed someone to cover the property because she was going to be out of town. We had never formally met, but I figured, why not reach out and offer to help?
I’m really glad I did.
Not only was the open house a success. I had people coming in and out for most of the afternoon. I also had the chance to meet some of the neighbors a few doors down, who stopped by with friends who happened to be visiting town.
Their friends were actually considering a 1031 exchange and potentially buying a home here in the desert. So, naturally, their friends were giving them the full neighborhood experience. 🤩
And , I'm so glad they did.
They were showing them what life could look like if they became neighbors. The girls could walk outside, wave to each other from their patios and invite one another over for a glass of wine. 🍷 The guys, of course, could head out to the golf course. 🍻🏌
Throughout their visit there were plenty of laughs, and somewhere along the way I basically decided, "I guess I have to be their friend too!!!"
We talked about makeup, the desert, food, and the fact that, yes, I’m also a chef.
That’s when my new friends (the neighbors to the listing) told me they were basically in the Top 1% of Chipotle customers.
At first, I thought they were joking.
They were not. 🤣 LOLOLOL
They told me a story about a night when she was making dinner for them. It was supposed to be one of those nice, easy crockpot meals. You know the kind. Throw everything in, turn it on, walk away, then let dinner basically make itself.
She did all the prep work. Everything was in the crockpot ready to go.
Every so often, she would walk by and smell all those delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.
Until it was time for dinner.
That's when they discovered the very important detail that she had forgotten to actually turn the crockpot on. 😂
Dinner was not happening.
And apparently, when dinner isn't happening, Chipotle is.
Which explains their top 1% status. 🤣
And, of course, the conversation about Chipotle got me thinking about sofritas.
I love the flavor and versatility of sofritas, and I figured, why not make my own version at home?
So that's where this recipe came from.
It's my JoMaine's Kitchen take on sofritas. It's flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for tacos, bowls, burritos, or whatever you want to put it on.
JoMaine's Kitchen Sofritas
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
16 ounces dried pinto beans (soaking optional)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground chipotle peppers
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 bay leaves
6 cups water, plus more (as needed)
lemon juice & lime juice, to taste (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the crushed garlic and cook only until fragrant.
To the pot, add the pinto beans and mix well. Add the cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chipotle pepper powder, and smoked paprika. Pour in enough water to cover the beans. Stir to combine and add in the bay leaves.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until beans are creamy and tender; about 2-4 hours (dependent upon soaking).
Remove the bay leaves. Stir in citrus juices (if desired), and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve it up however you like. Make a bowl, load up some tacos, put it in a burrito, or just grab a fork and go for it. I'm not here to judge. 🤨
And if you happen to make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you did with it. Tag me and let me know!
Happy cooking!
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