Using Bean Sprouts in different ways

I always held the bean sprout right at the top of the ingredient list, I prefer to work with, when I am in the kitchen. It is also an integral part of my daily diet whether it is in the form of breakfast salad OR stir fried when winter has set in. The other good aspect of bean sprouts is that you can germinate the same in the comfort of your kitchen and the process is very simple. I avoid buying loose bean sprout from the market because of the unhygienic handling by the grower and the seller.

Bean sprout is a very good source of vegetarian protein, fibre and vitamins and should form a part of everyday life in any form you wish to. The breakfast bean sprouts is as follows and you can develop your own recipe as per the ingredients available and your personal taste and preferences.

Tossed bean sprout salad

Ingredients

1 cup bean sprout, picked and, washed and drained
1 small cucumber, peeled and diced small
1 small tomato, halved and diced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 small green chilli (optional)
1 tbsp freshly chopped coriander leaves
1tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Salt to taste

Method:
In a glass bowl mix together bean sprouts, cucumber, tomato, onion, gren chilli, coriander leaves and lemon juice. Toss them well. Season with salt at the last moment just before serving.
If you wish you can also serve them on spiced tortilla chips commonly available or Indian poppadums
In order to give you all round western salad feeling, you can also use lettuce leaves or picked baby spinach leaves.

Stir fried bean sprout salad

Toss the bean sprout with julienned (matchstick size and shape) carrot, bell peppers, spring onion, ginger in a pan/wok with little olive oil. You can also use chopped garlic if you like. Season with salt, add chopped coriander and squeeze the lemon juice at the last moment. It is a very good snack for winters.

Moong bean burger

If you are really adventurous, you can also add bean sprouts in the burger patties when you are mixing the ingredients like mashed potato, onion, green pea, herbs and spices.  Shape them for patties, rest in the refrigerator for some time to get hardened. Pan fry in little oil or butter and sandwich it between toasted burger bun with sliced cucumber, tomato and cheese.

- Kuntal

Tags: bhatura, tandoor, dosa, paneer, indian curry, dal, tikka masala, sambhar, tandoori, gosht