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Sauces

Samfaina Sauce Recipe

Practical samfaina sauce for potatoes, seafood, meats, vegetables, noodles, rice, and everyday plates

Samfaina Sauce is a smoky Catalan recipe built from onion, red bell pepper, tomato, olive oil.

Sauces and Dips

Samfaina

Catalan vegetable sauce and stew

Samfaina is a Catalan preparation of slowly cooked aubergine, zucchini, peppers, onion, garlic, and tomato. It is served warm or at room temperature with bread, eggs, fish, poultry, or grilled meats.

TypeSauces
Prep20 minutes
Cook45 minutes
Rest10 minutes
Total1 hour 15 minutes
YieldApproximately 1 kg
Servings8
Serving125 g
DifficultyIntermediate
CuisineCatalan, Spanish

Equipment

  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wide heavy saucepan
  • Large frying pan or sauté pan

Ingredients

Batch

Instructions

Serving Ideas

  • Serve with crusty bread or pa amb tomàquet.
  • Spoon beside grilled fish, chicken, lamb, or pork.
  • Top with a fried or poached egg.
  • Use as a filling for savoury tarts or empanadas.

Substitutions

  • Use green bell pepper for a more savoury profile.
  • Fresh thyme may be omitted; it is not essential to the dish.

Chef Tips

  • Salt the aubergine only when needed; modern varieties are usually not bitter.
  • Cook the vegetables separately before combining so each keeps its shape.
  • Samfaina should be moist and spoonable, not soupy.

Storage

Cool completely and refrigerate in a covered container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently or serve at room temperature.

Estimated Nutrition

Approximate per serving: Calories 75 kcal; Carbohydrates 6 g; Protein 2 g; Fat 5 g; Saturated Fat 1 g; Sodium 190 mg; Fiber 1 g; Sugar 2 g.

Allergen Notes

Naturally free from the major allergens when prepared with uncontaminated ingredients.

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