Emperess Chi Xi dessert 豌豆黃(yellow split peas pudding)

This dessert is a typical northern-china snack. Emperess Chi Xi loved this dessert, nowadays everyone can eat it and it is very easy to make. It is sweet and refreshing too and it smelt in your mouth. You can buy yellow split peas at supermarket, chinese shops or asian supermarket.

Source: Eupho Cafe

Ingredients:
450g Yellow split peas
5 cups water
1/2tsp baking soda
6 cups water
11/3 cup sugar

Methods:
1. Wash yellow split peas, drain it.
2. Soak the peas with 1/2tsp baking soda and 5 cups of water for 6 hours.
3. Drain out the soda liquids, wash the peas again for at least 5 times. Drain out the excess water.
4. Put the peas into a pan with another 6 cups clean water and cook it over medium-high heat till boiled. When it is boiling, you will see a lots of white bubbles. Scoop out all the bubbles. Turn to medium heat and cook it till soft.
5. Place the soft cooked peas and the rest of liquids into blender and blend it till very smooth.
6. Then place the blended peas into pan again and add in sugar. Cook over low-medium heat till the mixture is dry enough to form.
7. Place the mixture into a mould which covered with plastic bag. Press to compact and cover it again with another plastis bag. Brush the surface with a brush for a smooth pretty look. Refrigerated for at least 4-5 hours before cutting.

Notes:
1. The reason soaking the peas with baking soda is to soften the peas and reduce the beans flavour.
2. Must cook the peas till very soft before blend it.
3. Cook the peas mixture till dry enough or you may failed.
4. I put plastic bag under and on the mould to prevent sticking on the mould, i brushed the plastics bags because i want a smooth shinny surface.
5. Cut the pudding only when it is cold or you won't get a smooth face pudding.
6. Yellow split peas is known as chickpeas (english), kacang kuda (bahasa melayu), 豌豆 (in mandarine)or 馬豆 (cantonese).
7. You can used this dessert as filling for mooncakes, biscuit etc and it is also healthier cause contain no oil.