Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon (Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi)
Dried grey peas are soaked and cooked until tender, then served with browned smoked bacon and onion. The quantities make approximately four servings.
This Latvian dish pairs cooked grey peas with fried smoked bacon and onion. The peas soak for about eight hours; the hands-on preparation time and yield of four servings are practical estimates. Serve the peas hot, topped with or mixed with the bacon and onion.
Ingredient allergens
Allergen listThere are no verified associations for these ingredients yet.
Method
- 01
Soak the peas
Rinse the peas and cover them generously with cold water. Leave them to soak for about 8 hours.
Ready to continue when: The peas have soaked for about 8 hours.
480 min - 02
Cook the peas
Drain and rinse the peas. Put them in a pot with enough fresh water to cover them and add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer until tender while still holding their shape; timing can vary. Add the salt near the end. Drain well and remove the bay leaves.
Ready to continue when: The peas taste tender and still hold their shape; they are well drained and the bay leaves have been removed.
60 min - 03
Brown the bacon and onion
While the peas cook, dice the bacon and fry it slowly in a wide pan until some of its fat renders and it browns. Add the chopped onion and cook until tender and golden. If the bacon browns before the onion softens, set it aside and return it to the pan at the end.
Ready to continue when: The bacon is browned and the onion is tender and lightly golden.
22 min - 04
Combine and serve
Add the drained peas to the pan with the bacon and onion. Mix gently and heat everything together for a few minutes, until evenly hot.
Ready to continue when: The peas are well combined with the bacon and onion, and the dish is hot throughout.
5 min
Ingredients
Sources and review
Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:
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- Latvian Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi (Grey Peas with Bacon) | DelishGlobe delishglobe.com/recipe/latvian-pelekie-zirni-ar-speki/
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State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.