The reason your split peas are hard is that you added salt or stock to the water before they finished cooking. From your initial post, you say you’ve added something called “Spike seasoning”.
Why are my split peas not softening?
If your split peas are hard after this length of cooking time, there is something wrong with the peas or with your water. If the peas are very old and dried out, they won’t soften. And if the water you use for making the soup is hard with lots of dissolved minerals that can stop the peas from softening.
How do you fix hard peas?
For whole peas, drain soaking water and replace with fresh, cold water for cooking. Place on stove and bring to a boil in a pot with a lid. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, tilting lid slightly to allow steam to escape, and leave to cook for up to 90 minutes, or until tender.
How long does it take split peas to soften?
Rinse split peas before cooking. Place 1 cup of split peas in a large pot with 2 cups of water and ½ tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until smooth, 25 minutes.
Why are my peas hard?
After a couple of days, though, those sugars will be all starchy, turning the pea mealy and hard.
Can you overcook split peas?
You can ‘t really overcook split pea soup unless you burn it, so just add more water if it’s getting too thick and keep cooking and cooking and cooking.
Can you eat crunchy split peas?
They remain crisp for a few days after cooking, so make a big batch and store them in a jar on the counter to snack on whenever hunger hits. A bowl of split peas is a great dish to serve to guests, complimenting a glass of wine or added to a salad for that crunchy texture.
Do peas go hard when overcooked?
Steam the peas over a high heat for about 3 minutes or until they are al denté, just tender. Be careful not to overcook peas. Boiling or long steaming will increase water absorption and cause the peas to become soggy and mushy. Both flavor and nutrients are sacrificed when peas are overcooked.
How do you make split peas soft quickly?
You can cook them in a pressure cooker. This will soften them in a relatively short amount of time. Another option is to soak them longer in advance of the cooking (for a day or so) in water, and baking soda…
How do you know when split peas are cooked?
Check on the soup. The peas should be creamy and soft, but not so thick that it’s like a pea loaf. If it’s getting too thick, add a little more broth or water. The soup is ready when the peas are soft, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours cooking time.
Does baking soda soften split peas?
Lentils and split peas simmer relatively quickly, even without advance preparation. But whole dried peas — like beans — require a longer cooking time. That’s especially so with peas that have seen long storage, though a pinch of baking soda can soften them more quickly.
How do you make soft peas?
In a saucepan, combine 16 oz. of peas with about ½ cup water. Bring the liquid to a boil with the lid off. Reduce heat, cover, and let your peas simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
Will old beans ever soften?
Old beans will take longer to cook, and the oldest beans will stay tough and chewy no matter how long (within reason), they simmer. If you find yourself cooking soaked beans for more than two hours, and they just will not soften, it may be your beans…not you.
What does baking soda do to peas?
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) added to the peas whilst soaking helps retain colour and, more importantly, it helps to soften their skins, allowing them to absorb the soaking water.
Why Rinse split peas before cooking?
Split peas, like lentils, do not need to be soaked before cooking. Beans require soaking prior to cooking, but because these are peas they can be used directly in the recipe. It is still a good idea to rinse your peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt particles.
Why does split pea soup get so thick?
The starches and the gelatin will form a mesh when cooling, so the consistency of the pea-soup will always be thick when cold.
Do split peas have to be soaked before cooking?
To Soak or Not to Soak
It’s true, soaking peas overnight in water shortens their cooking time. But soaking isn’t entirely necessary. Split peas cook relatively quickly. Unsoaked peas take from 1 to 2 hours of simmering; soaked peas take about 40 minutes.
Is it OK to eat undercooked yellow split peas?
Is it bad to eat undercooked split peas? The short answer is that Eating partially cooked lentils and split peas probably isn’t “safe”“, especially eating them once, but it could cause digestive upset, depending on how your individual system reacts and what else you ate at the time.
Is it OK to eat undercooked peas?
In summary, while raw peas are completely safe to eat and have a sweet and spring-like flavor, it is always a good idea to cook them using any cooking method.
Are split peas good for you?
Split peas are a great source of plant-based protein, plus they come with many additional health benefits. A 1/2 cup of cooked split peas contains about 115 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fiber. They are also low in fat, and a good source of folate, iron, and potassium.
How long does peas take to cook?
Boil (2-3 mins – use the minimum amount of water needed, and don’t add salt, as they’ll toughen up. A pinch of sugar will bring out their sweetness). Steam (1-2 mins). See our pea recipes for inspiration.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.