How to sprout lentils and beans at home

What is sprout ?

A sprout is a small growth on a plant — a little new bud. It is also called as अंकुरित in hindi, कोंब, मोड in marathi, മുളപ്പിച്ച /muḷappicca in Malayalam etc .

It contain a significant amount of protein & dietary fiber, vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and riboflavin. In terms of minerals, sprouts contain manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium.

You can sprout using seeds, legumes,lentils & grains, whereas the time for each of them to germinate varies . For spouting seeds, it needs a extra step by making use of soil... which we will be covered in future blogs.

The benefits of eating sprouts are many, helps boost immunity,helps reduce bloating, improve blood circulation in the body, helps in weight management, good for hair, prevents cancer etc etc ..

In the video, i had mentioned about other methods of sprouting, whereas after experimenting with various other methods- like jars and using wet kitchen towels, empty cartons of juices, mason jars, cloth, ..etc i have come to the conclusion that the best method ever is sprouting with Sieve.

The reason being Sieve is airy and water doesn't gets stored/ collected, hence prevents from getting mold or any other bacteria quickly - which can cause Illness / diseases like E. Colli or other serious alignment.

Always wash the sprouts properly with fresh water, before eating raw and also make sure there was no mold formed on it . Some seeds and grains when brought from store can pass the expiry date, in that case there is a possibility of mold formation. Also can smell at very early stage of sprouting....in this case it is always better not to sprout these seeds, grain and legumes, instead cook the regular way of boiling and cooking it.

Below is the video which explain how to go about with the same procedure.

Lets begin :-

Ingredients required :-

* Grain / Lentils/ Beans

* Sieve Or Muslin Cloth ( muslin cloth also called as cheese cloth). -used both in the video.

The size of the sieve / filter Depends the quantity you going to use.

A) THE SEIVE Method :-

1) Wash the lentil / seeds / legumes / grains - very properly (at least 3-4 times) and soak it with lots of water, i prefer to do it overnight or at least 9- 10 hrs .

*The kidney beans/ Rajma are the toughest ones, it did not sprout even after 4-5 days but the outer cover gets softer - you can boil them after 3-4 days and use for salads .

2 ) There should be enough water, while soaking. The lentils should be fully emerged in the water.

1 ST DAY

3)After soaking overnight, you will notice this white foam / layer . All you have to do is wash it very nicely with fresh water at least 3-4 times & make sure it doesn't smell. If it still smell you can wash it couple more times.

4) The picture below on your right hand, is after washing . Stand near your kitchen sink and pour this soaked lentil directly into the sieve which you are going to use. And let most or all of the water drain away. you can shake it few times- to make sure there is no extra water.

you can notice below that i have used quite a lot of lentil for this purpose, so have taken a bigger sieve and a bigger vessel .

Depending upon your sieve , you can choose the vessel you going to emerge in.

The sieve should be completely emerged in the vessel. And cover it with a heavy lid or you can keep extra weight on it.

5) And store it in a warm place in your kitchen.

6) If you have warm weather where you are based, you will need to follow an extra step. In the evening remove the sieve and show it under the running tap or remove it in a bowl and wash it with cold water and then put it back into the sieve,drain the water and place it back in the warm place..all tight with a heavy lid.

2ND DAY -

7) The very next day in the morning ,you will notice the sprouts( as shown in the below picture) Still in their initial stage.The sprouts are yet very tiny.

So let's repeat the process, empty it in the big bowl, wash properly (3 times at least ) and then drain directly in the sieve and cover and store in warm place or pantry.

3RD DAY -

8) The next day you will notice the sprouts to be this longer as shown in the below picture. And i choose to use it at this very stage.

Its up to you if you want to repeat the process ( empty it in the big bowl, wash properly (3 times at least ) and then drain directly in the sieve and cover and store in warm place.

The final day, if you want the outer skin to come out easily, you need to soak the sprouted beans, lentils in warm water and let it rest there for 30 mins ...and you will notice the skin to be floating on top. This way it will be easy for you to pinch it and discard.

If you love gardening , its the similar feeling when you see your plant growing ..

B) MUSLIN CLOTH / CHEESE CLOTH METHOD;-

For this method i have used Green whole Moong dal . The step involved remains the same as that of sieve.

1) Wash -3 times, soak in water overnight.

2) 1st day in the morning , wash properly (at least 3 times ) and drain in the muslin cloth, tie a knot, ... let all the extra water drip away( you may want to tie it on the kitchen water tab & let it hang in there for some time.

Once all the water drains( 10 mins or so), place this muslin cloth in a vessel and cover tight and let it be in a warm place in your kitchen corner.

3) 2nd day :- you will notice Moong dal germinating . I will recommend you to remove the knot and wash the moong carefully ( 3 times in fresh water) without breaking the sprouts and drain it back in the muslin cloth and let it hang on the kitchen tab for a while (10 mins) and then put it a big bowl and cover tight and place it in a warm place.

*** Just like sieve i will recommend - if you have a very warm weather where you are based; you can place the muslin cloth directly under a running tap for 5 mins and drain the excess water.

4) 3rd day- you will notice the sprouts longer than before & good to use.

Below is the image of sieve with handle and without handle . Also a muslin cloth.

3RD METHOD IS OF MASON JAR:-

For this i have used whole Masoor dal.

* Wash and soak the Masoor dal overnight.

* Next day in the morning, you will notice a slight discoloration.

* Wash with fresh water and drain in the filter , to remove any excess water.

* Put the masoor dal in the mason jar, you can use store brought Pickle or Jam empty jars .

* I place a muslin cloth and kept it upside down and place in the warm corner of my kitchen . I went ahead and have tightened the muslin cloth with a plastic rubber band.

* The next day, you can see the sprouted masoor , as shown in the below picture. A sight of happiness for sure <3

* You can repeat the process , remove the sprouted moong in a bowl , wash it with fresh cold water and drain it completely.

* And re fill the jar with these moong. And place them upside down and we did previous day.

* Next day you will notice the longer Sprouted moong . Wash it fresh water, drain and you can use it.

If you want to store them and not use them right then, so directly store them in a air tight container without washing it . And wash only when you are about to use them....if this makes sense ?

If you ask me my favorite method , its the sieve method. As its more airy and you will notice the sprouts to be longer quickly than the rest of the method.

Hope you will make good use of all the sprouts and not to over cook when making curries ....

And sprout often and serve everyone in your family. Recipes for sprouts will be on my channel & blog very soon . Will appreciate If you leave your valuable suggestion or opinions in form of comment.