Split Pea Soup- how can I soften the peas more?

Question

I soaked these peas overnight in warm water, and have followed the recipe, allowing 1.5 extra hours for them to soften. Yet they are still not as tender as I would like. I am still cooking it. Is there something else I should be doing?

Answer 1

boil them?

Answer 2

Huh? You've been cooking them already for 1.5 hours? and they're not soft? It should not take this long to soften the peas really.

1. Generally, you should watch as you go and just cook them 'until' they are soft but it sounds like you're going to need #2.

2. Perhaps you're looking for a different kind of consistency rather than softness. You probably are looking for a creamy consistency which you would need a hand blender or mixer for. If you have a mixer, put your peas in it with a bit of water or broth to keep it loose or just use your hand blender right in the pot. Then pour it all through a sift/siv and remove the bits that are left on it. Put the mashed pea mixture back into the soup pot and stir it all up!

Hopefully, this is what you need to achieve a perfectly soft creamy pea soup! Good luck.

Answer 3

If the split peas are old they take longer to cook but should be ok.
When they do soften, you can use a stick/immersion blender to puree the soup. Adding a little sour cream makes the soup creamier.

Answer 4

Hmm, that does sound like a long time. Has there been a lid over it? If not, that would keep the heat and steam in. You've got me baffled. I don't soak mine overnight, just throw them in the crockpot with everything else and it's mush in 4-5 hours.

Answer 5

Just keep cooking. If you're looking for creamy pea soup, you'll have to take some of the soup and run it through a processor or bleder and then add it back to the pot.

Answer 6

I soak mine then cok in slowcooker a bit before making my soup, then leave it on a simmer most of day. only thng to make them tender that i have found, i have no patience, so i dont make often lol