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How to make Sprouts at home?

Sprouts are super foods and the sprouting process turns grains and legumes into living plants with loads of nutrients.
Prep Time3 days
Total Time3 days
Course: Basics
Author: Padma

Ingredients

  • ½ cup whole green gram Moong beans
  • ½ cup whole black gram Urad dal
  • ½ cup Garbanzo beans chick peas
  • 4 to 5 cups water to soak the pulses

Instructions

  • Day 1 night:
  • Clean all the pulses by checking for any stones or broken beans and remove them.
  • Wash a couple of times with running water and soak them in sufficient water for at least 8 hours or overnight.
  • Day 2 morning:
  • Once they are soaked, they double in size. Now, rinse again and place them in a sprout maker, a container or drop them in a wet muslin cloth.
  • If you are using container, cover it with a lid and place it in a dark place.
  • Alternatively you can place them in a wet muslin cloth and bring the edges together and secure it loosely. Keep an eye on it and if the cloth has become dry sprinkle some water on it.
  • If using a sprout maker, place in the upper compartment of a sprouts maker which looks like in the pic. below.
  • The lower tray as shown in the picture is where the water drained from the upper tray is collected and a top tray (or lid) where the water is poured.
  • Once the tray is covered with pre-soaked seeds, water is poured into the top tray,
  • The water gets siphoned down and ends up in the bottom basin tray.
  • You will need to water the seeds 2-3 times each day,
  • Keep it undisturbed for 12-15 hours. But sprouting time totally depends on the climatic conditions.
  • Day 3 or 4: Depending on the climatic conditions.
  • If you are sprouting in a vessel you can check it after a day, if the sprouts are of at least one inch size, you can use them immediately, if not keep it covered and undisturbed for another 6 to 8 hours. In colder places it might even take one full day-24 hrs. Do not keep them for too long otherwise the sprouts will become a bit sticky.
  • If you are using muslin cloth you can see the sprouts popping out from the cloth and hence you don't need to open it and see but make sure that the cloth would not become too dry in between as it will not help the sprouts to grow.
  • In case you are using a sprout maker you will be able to see if they have sprouted even without opening the lid since it is transparent.
  • Day 3 or 4:
  • The pulses will completely sprout and they are ready to be used.
  • Sprouts are so versatile that they can be included in many dishes ranging from healthy salads, sprouts dosa, stir fries, gravies, in various chaatss, and sprouts vada which I will be sharing very soon.

Notes

Once the sprouts are formed you use it immediately or in a two to three, if kept for longer they might taste slightly bitter. Store them in the refrigerator once sprouting process is completed.
If the sprouts become slightly sticky, it means you have kept them for longer than needed. Just rinse them and use.
You can follow the same process for various beans. The sprouting time varies from bean to bean and also depends on the climatic conditions.