Hogao (Colombian Tomato and Scallion Sauce)
In short: The tomato and scallion sofrito at the base of Colombian cooking, simmered with garlic and cumin until jammy, for beans, arepas, potatoes and rice. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 55 kcal
Hogao is the sauce Colombian cooks reach for first. Tomato and scallion are cooked slowly in oil with garlic and cumin until they melt into a thick, sweet-savory mixture that goes into bean stews, rice, soups and stewed meats, or gets spooned over arepas, boiled potatoes and fried plantain. A single batch keeps for a week, so it is easy to cook a big jar ahead.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions and cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until soft but not browned.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then stir in the tomatoes, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Lower the heat and simmer, stirring now and then, for 15 to 20 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce is thick, glossy and jammy.
- Stir in the cilantro, if using, and taste for salt. Use warm, or cool and store in a jar.
Tips
- Peel the tomatoes by dipping them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Skins left in the sauce turn into tough curls.
- Hogao is mild. Add a pinch of chili flakes for heat, and use it as a base for beans, lentils or rice, or spoon it over arepas and boiled potatoes.
Questions and answers
How long does hogao keep?
It keeps for 7 days in the fridge in a sealed jar, and for 3 months in the freezer. Freeze it in an ice cube tray so you can drop in small portions.
What is hogao used for?
It flavors beans, rice, soups and stews, tops boiled potatoes, arepas and patacones, and goes into empanada fillings. It is also good spooned over roasted vegetables.
What is the difference between hogao and sofrito?
Hogao is the Colombian sofrito. It is built on scallion and tomato with garlic and cumin, while other Latin American sofritos may use bell pepper, culantro or other aromatics.
How long does it take to make Hogao (Colombian Tomato and Scallion Sauce)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hogao (Colombian Tomato and Scallion Sauce)?
About 55 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 55 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
