Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds Sprouts, How To?
Ankurit Methi Dana
Mamta Gupta
Sprouted or soaked methi seeds are very slightly bitter, but are not only delicious in all sorts of salads and stir-fries, they also have many health benefits according to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine system. To keep a regular supply, start new seeds every 3-4 days. I use a ramekin dish, but you can use any shallow bowl or container.
Methis seeds are said to reduce blood sugar in diabetics and joint pain in arthritics. For this, you can eat dry, ground seeds also, but those are not as tasty as sprouted ones.
Methi sprouts are supposed to help treat menopausal symptoms and stimulate milk production in breastfeeding women. They are a good source of various vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
Add methi sprouts to all sorts of mixed salads, to yoghurt to make a raita, to quick stir-fries. If using in cooking, stir-fry only slightly, otherwise all heat liable vitamins will be lost. Add methi sprouts to salads for a lovely crunch.
If you do not have time to germinate them, soak 1 tsp. methi seeds overnight in a small glass of water. Chew each morning and drink the soak water. This helps in reducing sugar in diabetes and pain in arthritis.
Buy seeds from food stores. Garden centre seeds may be treated with chemicals
Ingredients
2-3 tablespoons or more of Fenugreek seeds. Available from most Indian grocers
A suitable, shallow container, like a ramekin dish or a small bowl
A paper kitchen towel folded up, to cover the ramekin dish base. Or use an old hankie/kitchentowel.
A little water
Instructions
For salads
Wash and drain seeds in a strainer.
Soak the paper towel placed in a bowl/dish and drop seeds evenly on top.
Fold the moist towel over to cover the seeds, to keep them moist.
Leave on a kitchen top, making sure that the tissue is kept moist at all time.
In the morning, wash in a strainer and leave wrapped in a fresh kitchen towel. They germinate enough in 48 hours, but you can germinate them for another day, if you want longer sprouts. They can be eaten at any stage of sprouting.
Wash in a strainer, leave to drain for 30 minutes or so.
Spread them out on a kitchen towel. Leave for an hour or two for water to dry out the surface water. This will make them stay longer in the fridge.
Store in an airtight box in the fridge.
Add to salads of choice.
For chewing each morning (for diabetics)
Wash and soak 1 full tsp. seeds in a small glass of water. In the morning, chew the seeds and drink the water.
