I made yellow pea and aubergine stew. Last time I made it the yellow peas were really tough, so this time I soaked them for around 12 hours. They’re less tough than last time but still tough.

Is that just how yellow peas are? Or is it that I need to cook them differently?

  • CheradenineEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    Add the baking soda to the soaking water. If you are cooking your legumes and tomatoes (which are acidic) together the legumes will be tougher.

    Cook the beans, peas, etc. Then add tomatoes and whatever other acidic ingredients you may be using.

    Another source of tough legumes is if they are old, especially if they have been stored in a hot and humid place.

    There is a very good Serious Eats article (archive link) Here

    Edit: here are their suggestions, for anyone not wishing to read the article

    3 tablespoons (36g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight 1 ¾ teaspoons (10g) baking soda 8 ½ cups (2L) water 1 pound (455g) dried beans, picked of any debris and rinsed