Why are my carrots still like bullets??

[Rockbird]

Adding a sofrito mix to my bolognese. Have softened it in the pan, celery and onion lovely, carrots like little shards of rock. Bunged it in the microwave for 5 sodding minutes. Carrots like little shards of concrete. What am I doing wrong and how tf do you soften carrots in something like this? I have no problem cooking normal carrots but whenever I try to put them in a shepherds pie or something they're like little stones.

[Weezol]

What size are you chopping them to?

[Rockbird]

They're tiny, pea sized or smaller

[greenelephantscarf]

how long have you cooked them?
carrots take some time (which is why I grate them)

[Rockbird]

They were in the pan for about 10-15 minutes and then 5 minutes in the microwave. Then in the oven for 30 mins and they were still hard. It was a pre packed mix, next time I'll grate them separately.

[FoggyNelson]

I think 10-15 mins might not be enough, I usually sautée for at least 20 (then simmer on low heat for about 3 hours). If I'm in a rush, I grate them.

[MaverickSnoopy]

Not long enough. Onions, carrots and celery are done here for 20-30 mins on hob and then once all other ingredients have been added it gets cooked for a further 3 hours on the hob at least - I tend to cook on medium to high for an hour and the turn down to a simmer for the remaining time.

[formerbabe]

I always find carrots to be like that. I grate them on a box grater rather than finely chopped and they cook much quicker.

[Rockbird]

Thanks all. So a prepacked sofrito mix is never going to work then. Thanks Waitrose!

[greenelephantscarf]

if you freeze it first it will go softer.

[Notso]

They'll just cook along with the rest of it surely. Mine are never cooked after the sautéing, they are cooked during the simmering. Same for cottage/shepherds pie mixture.

[FusionChefGeoff]

I'm with Notso, they cook during the simmer?!

[Rockbird]

No they don't though. I thought that, especially as the bits are so small. But alas not. I might try freezing but otherwise it's not worth the effort.

[halfwitpicker]

Sauté with the lid on for ten mins. Then simmer for at least an hour. Don't buy pre packed veg, I think they add a preservative that stops them cooking easily.

[lily219]

I think it might be the 'pre-packed' bit that's the problem. I chop my own carrots etc and braise them slowly with the lid on for about 10 or 15 mins (by which time they're soft) before adding the other stuff.

[kateandme]

yes ours are never softened for 20 not anywhere near at the start.but the softening come from sitting in the liquid and simmering.