Sofrito is heavily emphasized as the third critical component in a "sofregit" base along with tomatoes and onions. Garlic is optional, as it is not considered an integral part of the standard "sofregit" recipe. Some "sofregit" recipes do not contain tomatoes at all, but are made more complex with the addition of diced vegetables such as leeks or bell peppers. In Italian cuisine, chopped onions, carrots and celery is battuto, and then, slowly cooked in olive oil, becomes "soffritto". It is used as the base for most pasta sauces, such as arrabbiata sauce, but occasionally it can be used as the
Sauce vierge Sauce vierge Sauce vierge (French; in English: literally, "virgin sauce") is a French sauce made from olive oil, lemon juice, chopped tomato and chopped basil. Frequently, crushed coriander seed is added, and variations may include the addition of other herbs such as chervil, chives, parsley, etc. The ingredients are combined and allowed to infuse or macerate (depending whether heat is applied or not) in the oil to create the sauce. The sauce is usually served with shellfish, delicately flavoured white-fleshed fish such as cod, sole, etc.; it is sometimes served over pasta. The sauce was popularised in the 1980s by