This is such an important seasoning...it's the stuff that makes you wonder "what is that taste?" It's soooo good! The only difference between this recipe and mine is that I don't use green bell pepper, instead I use Cubanelle peppers (I've also seen them called Italian peppers or Italian Frying Peppers). It's a long light green pepper and it's got a much better flavor than green bell pepper. I also don't add salt and pepper (I add those when I actually cook with it). If you don't want red bell pepper or tomato...leave them out and what you have left is a mixture called "Recaito"...I use recaito when I make habichuelas (bean stew). I have very picky friends and relatives but whenever I make my arroz con gandules (yellow rice with pigeon peas) or arroz con maiz (yellow rice with sweet corn)....they have 2 or 3 servings, and what makes them taste so good is sofrito baby! USE IT!

Definitely use the OLD ENGLISH spread that comes in a little jar with a blue top (you can find it where you would find Cheez Whiz ~~ but PLEASE don't use Cheez Whiz for this recipe, it will come out too runny! :) When I originally submitted the recipe I specifically mentioned Old English spread, but I guess this site doesn't allow brand names so it wasn't included...but that's a critical part of this recipe. Something I've started doing is making these without the shrimp but adding chopped chives and green onions to the cheese mixture instead and serving alongside homemade tomato basil soup....I don't think life gets any better than that, especially on a cold winter's night!! ENJOY! :)