If you think that peas are boiled for a long time, burn easily, become very hard or actually just the opposite, become like mash, then you just can't cook them properly. That is why it is important to know some little tricks for cooking peas!
How long do peas need to be boiled for?
Dry peas normally cook for about 2 hours and sometimes even longer, as everything here depends on the variety and the required consistency of the dish you are making. However, if you soak it in advance, then it will swell up, which will significantly reduce its cooking time. In this case, the peas will cook in about 40-60 minutes.
How to speed up the cooking the peas?
1. Do not salt them immediately, as they will cook slower in salted water. That is why it is better to season them at the end, when they are almost ready.
2. Once they boil, add a few tablespoons of vegetable oil to the peas.
3. 10-15 minutes after boiling, add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to every 2 liters of water. This way the peas will soften only after 5-7 minutes, but be careful, because if you add more soda, then you can spoil the taste of the dish.
How to cook peas in a pot?
Be sure to check the peas, because often, even with more expensive products you can find small stones in them, for example. Soak them in cold water for 5-8 hours, but no more, as they may spoil. To find out if they're fully cooked, just make sure the peas have swollen up enough. If not, then strain the water and add clean water and wait for another half hour.
Also, before boiling the peas, be sure to wash them and use a thick-bottomed pot, so they do not burn. The water should cover and should be a centimeter over the peas and you can then cook them over low heat.
Once foam starts to form, remove it with a spoon or a special kitchen utensil for this purpose. Do not, under no circumstances close the pot tightly. Leave a little space for the steam to come out, as otherwise it may boil very strongly and stain the hob.
These simple tips will help you not only to cook recipes with peas faster, but also to always get great dishes with the perfect texture.
Now you will no longer have to struggle and cook peas for 3 hours or even more.
What to combine cooked peas with? Have a look at our gallery above!
If you love peas, we recommend trying these recipes with peas:
- Vegan peas;
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