SPROUTED MUNG BEAN SALAD

SPROUTED MUNG BEAN SALAD

(suitable for vegans)

According to Ayurveda (tradition Indian science of healing naturally), sprouted mung beans are a powerhouse of nutrients and they have more nutritional value than un sprouted mung beans. They are low in calories, high in fiber and rich in vitamins. They can increase the body's energy and helps us to feel fit and healthy.

These days our lifestyle is so automated and if we reduce a number of calories from our food, at the end of the day it benefits us. These sprouted mung beans salad is a good example of a low-calorie food and is a great combination of protein and vegetables. This salad can be a good dinner time meal for those who would like to take light meals because normally we are told by doctors to eat less amount of calories during dinner time.

Normally people think that it is very difficult to sprout beans and lentils, it takes a lot of time etc, and they buy ready made from shops. But actually they are very easy to sprout, as shown in the method below, I always sprout beans at home. When I keep the mung beans for sprouting, I always make some extra because they can be kept in the freezer for a month or so. My son, in his college days, was asking me to keep them ready in the fridge, to get extra protein for body building, when he was going to the gym and was doing a lot of exercises.

Many people, even some in my family eat them raw, after sprouting. I prefer lightly cooked ones, with a small amount of oil and spices. In the method below I have included the cooked one as well.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 200 grams mung beans
• 200 grams onion (one big)
• 200 grams tomatoes (one big)
• 3-4 green chillies (optional)
• ½ English cucumber/one green pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (roasted and ground)
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dry mint leaves or chopped fresh coriander
• 2 tablespoon olive oil

METHOD FOR SPROUTING

• Rinse mung beans in running water and soak for 7-8 hours in cold water.
• Beans will increase in size. After 7-8 hours remove the water and put the mung beans in a wet muslin cloth, cover the beans with the corners of the cloth.
• Put it in a container and cover the lid, keep in a dark and warm place. After 7-8 hours sprinkle the water on the muslin cloth.
• It will take around 24- 30 hours depending on the temperature of the kitchen to sprout.
• Better results can be obtained in summer. Once ready, remove from the muslin cloth and keep it in the fridge.

METHOD FOR SALAD

• Finely chop onion, tomato, cucumber, green chili.
• Mix all the chopped vegetables in sprouted mung beans and add all the spices.dey mint and cilantro.
• Serve cold as a salad.

METHOD FOR LIGHTLY COOKED SALAD

• Heat olive oil on a medium flame, add mung beans plus salt and cook for 10-15 minutes till they are bit tender.
• Chop onion, tomatoes, green chillies and cucumber finally. Mix all in beans when they are still warm.
• Add black pepper, mango powder and roasted cumin seeds powder.
• Sprinkle lemon juice and garnish with dry mint leaves.
  Note- If you prefer raw, mix all vegetables, dry ingredients and lemon juice, dry mint in sprouted beans and serve.

This can be served cold or slightly warm, suitable for 5-6 people.

I am sending this post as my blog entry for Hearth and Soul Blog Hop, and for Cook blog share, and with two favourite things on Thursday party, and for City of Links #63, and for Funtastic Friday Party, and with see-ya-in-gumbo link, and What'd You Do This Weekend, and with Tasty Tuesday creative kids, and with Free from fridays, and with Thank-goodness is thursday, and with Fiesta Friday, And with Weekend Creations, and with Mt Legume Love Affair.and with Simple Natural Saturday.
I am also sending this recipe for Credit Crunch Munch for May as batch cooking for Freezer, as I have mentioned in the post it can be kept in the freezer together with Fuss Free Flavours and with Fab Food 4 All, and with Real Food Friday., and with Healthy Happy and green party.,and with Meatless Monday, and with Creative spark link party and with Way wow link party, and with Healthy Holiday recipe, and with Food and fitness friday under healthy breakfast recipe.

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