Pearl Barley and Stew Packs

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mrs bouquet

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Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« on: November 06, 2022, 13:24 »
I have dug mine out of the cupboards to make something ?? tomorrow.  The lentils are about 8 years old, so I guess they will have to go.  But how do I cook pearl barley without it sticking in my saucepans ?  and how long for ? and how to get the peas to cook in the stew packs, after hours mine still seem to be hard.
Can I use a microwave for either ?    AND have you seen the price of dried lentils   :ohmy:   Thanks, Mrs Bouquet
Birds in cages do not sing  -  They are crying.

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mumofstig

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2022, 13:59 »
Lentils? I only paid £1.35 for my last pack - didn't think that was expensive?
I soak my pulses overnight, before cooking them.
Barley, I find cooks in about 30 mins, as do the orange split lentils, but the whole lentils and yellow split peas can take quite a bit longer.
I've never understood why they sell them mixed in bags tbh - unless it's a throwback to post war cooking. My mum used to soak them overnight and in the morning the stew pot was put on the range, with dried and fresh veg, and meat and left to cook ALL DAY.  :mellow:
Don't think they'd work in a microwave, as they need slow cooking


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Lardman

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2022, 14:24 »
I used to just slap everything in the slow cooker - no soaking  ::)

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mumofstig

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2022, 15:42 »
I used to just slap everything in the slow cooker - no soaking  ::)
I found some of the peas stayed hard, when I tried that  :wacko:

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wighty

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2022, 16:16 »
I like pearl barley in a lamb stew but Paul can't stand it.  I've never soaked it beforehand.  Have no experience of cooking lentils as neither of us like them.

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Kleftiwallah

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2022, 11:09 »

What about carlins?

Cheers,  Tony.
I may be growing OLD, but I refuse to grow UP !

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mrs bouquet

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2022, 16:24 »
Thats it  -  the game is off.   From now on out of a can with a few added veg.
Soaked the stew mix overnight after 10 mins in the microwave.   This morning thoroughly wash, put in pan with other goodies.  This afternoon, all split peas  rock hard.   I shall try to pimp it up tomorrow, because to add insult I have just spotted the meat pie that has thawed in the 'fridge, intended for tonight   !!!!!
My very worse swear words.  -  Bums, tits and willies.    :lol: :lol: :lol:  Mrs Bouquet

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mumofstig

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2022, 19:37 »

Soaked the stew mix overnight after 10 mins in the microwave. 
Curious why you did that? The microwaving would have hardened them even more than they already were?

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Lardman

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2022, 20:15 »
10 minutes in the microwave  :ohmy: That's enough to cook a spud.

The destructions on the packet of "soup mix" I have from waitrose (which they don't appear to sell any more) are "soak over night and simmer for 20-30 minutes". 

All you're doing is giving them enough time to re-hydrate so you're going to have to either cold soak them or gently slow cook them for about the same amount of time - at least 8 hours.

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DanielCoffey

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2022, 15:04 »
Split peas can be an oddity when it comes to cooking times. There are some varieties that will soften in about 30-45 mins and others will remain hard for hours! That is with freshly harvested and dried peas too. At the risk of a snigger, they stay hard longer the older they get. The ones in "soup mix" could be untold eons old which may be why they didn't cook well for you.

If possible, try liquidising them with a stick blender to make a chunky soup. You may find they end up a bit like the ground almonds in a korma sauce.

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mrs bouquet

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Re: Pearl Barley and Stew Packs
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2022, 14:46 »
Well those split peas wouldn't have cooked in 100 years, and I am not sure how long I'd had the pack eiher.
Had to throw it all away in the end.    So much for my guilt trip and good intentions.   ::) ::)  Mrs B

 

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