Split Pea Soup, but peas aren't dissolving
I'm making split pea soup (vegetarian, using the Moosewood Cookbook recipe). I've made this several times before, and I remember that at some point the peas dissolve, making a thick broth. I made sure to soak the peas overnight before cooking them. But the soup has been simmering for over an hour now (very low flame, partially covered, other veggies in the soup for the later 40 minutes) and they don't seem close to dissolving.
Did I do something wrong? How can I fix the soup? And how can I avoid this in the future?
Best Answer
I make split pea soup (with a hambone, which is an unavoidable source of salt - I don't add any extra salt until the very end) pretty regularly. I don't soak the peas. It takes more like 3 or 4 hours for the peas to dissolve. It's not a gradual process either - for ages and ages there are little peas floating in broth, and you can eat one and it's soft, but they don't lose their shape, and then the next time you stop by the stove, it's a uniform puree without having done anything. Just keep simmering, is my advice.
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Quick Answer about "Split Pea Soup, but peas aren't dissolving"
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 soften peas in split pea soup?
It is very frustrating to find out your green or yellow split peas have not softened even after cooking for one hour. I find that if I puree them, then cook for another 30-60 minutes, the split peas will soften.How long does it take for split peas to dissolve?
To Soak or Not to Soak Split peas cook relatively quickly. Unsoaked peas take from 1 to 2 hours of simmering; soaked peas take about 40 minutes. Also, the only difference between yellow and green split peas is color. Split peas absorb lots of water as they cook, so check the soup often and add liquid as needed.How do you soften split peas after cooking?
Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and keep at a low simmer for 2 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover, and let stand for an hour. You could also heat the beans and water together in the microwave until the water is boiling and then let them soak for about 1 1/2 hours. Some beans refuse to soften.Why does split pea soup congeal?
The starches and the gelatin will form a mesh when cooling, so the consistency of the pea-soup will always be thick when cold. On heating, do what Mien advised: add some water or broth to the soup to the consistency that you want.THE INCREDIBLE CURRY PEA SOUP RECIPE YOU CAN MAKE QUICK AND SPLIT
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