I remember back in school, my mother would pack our tiffin boxes with sprouts for lunch. They were light, healthy, easy to eat and quite filling. I think my energy was sustained during the entire day at school only because of these sprouts. For the unversed, sprouts are just a natural process of where seeds germinate to give shoots. This can then be eaten as is or spruced up with spices to give it flavour. From mung beans to lentils, a host of seeds work well for sprouting. My favourite have always been the black chickpea sprouts.
My mother would season them with salt, red chilli powder and lemon juice while adding some chopped onions, tomatoes and coriander leaves to the bowl. Tossed together, the taste was so flavourful that I would go on eating spoonfuls of it. Sprouts are super healthy and great to maintain weight. Be it any seeds, sprouts come packed with a high-nutrient profile and serve as a wholesome meal. Whether you are looking for a quick snack in the evening or an easy-to-make breakfast, sprouts function well in both cases.
Not only can you make a sprouts chaat like mentioned above, these healthy sprouted seeds can be paired with several other items too like chicken or chorizo as well as dunked into soups. This versatile eat can be a great filling for tacos too.
If you’re in the mood for sprouts, you ought to know the right way to do it. Here are some important steps to note while sprouting any kind of seeds.
1. Soak The Seeds
The very first step in the direction of making sprouts is to soak the seeds overnight. While it is said that 12 hours is a minimum duration for soaking them in water, you can soak for longer because it won’t spoil the sprouts. All you have to do is take a jar and add the seeds to it. Usually, the proportion is three cups water for one cup seeds. For the water, ensure that it isn’t too cold and isn’t too warm, just room temperature.
2. Cover The Jar
In order to keep the jar, you can cover it with a lid that has holes. If not, cover it with a muslin cloth. The porous holes are important to let the seeds breathe. Do not store the jar in some kitchen cabinet or hidden away in a section. Keeping it at the kitchen counter top works just fine.
3. Rinse All The Way
Now after a period of 12 hours, you can drain the water and rinse the seeds. You need to rinse with water at a normal temperature and repeat it for two to four days till you achieve your desired sprouts. In fact, the seeds should be left a little damp and not too watery after draining the water. This can be done by simply opening the lid and letting water pass through holes or else removing the cloth.
4. Store The Right Way
After they are ready, store them in a plastic bag and refrigerate to make them last longer.