“The Ultimate Guide to Sprouting Beans: Grow Your Own Crisp, Healthy Shoots”

Sprouts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of delicious dishes, such as stir-fries, soups, and as a topping for rice noodles and pho. However, many homemakers are concerned about the quality of store-bought sprouts, which may be soaked in chemicals. To ensure safety, many have resorted to growing their own sprouts at home using everyday items.

Materials and Tools

– 100g of mung beans (black beans or adzuki beans can also be used)
– 1-liter milk carton box
– Scissors

How to Grow Sprouts in a Milk Carton Box

Step 1: Clean and Cut the Milk Carton

Thoroughly clean the milk carton and cut off the four top corners. This step is crucial to ensure that any remaining milk residue does not spoil the sprouts.

Step 2: Wash and Soak the Beans

Rinse the mung beans and discard any damaged ones. Soak the beans in water for about 3 hours, then drain the water. For faster germination, use a ratio of 3 parts cold water to 2 parts hot water.

Step 3: Place the Beans in the Carton

Put the soaked beans into the milk carton, cover it, and place it in a dark place away from direct sunlight.

Step 4: Water the Beans Daily

Fill the carton with water, soaking the beans completely, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, turn the carton upside down to drain the water. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.

After four days, when the carton is swollen tight, cut it open to harvest the sprouts. Be sure to rinse and wash away the bean skins before use.

Notes

– Thoroughly clean the milk carton to ensure no milk residue is left behind.
– Choose high-quality mung beans and discard any damaged ones to prevent spoilage.
– Ensure that the water is completely drained after watering to prevent the sprouts from rotting.
– Keep the carton in a dark place to prevent discoloration and bitterness in the sprouts.

Delicious Dishes with Sprouts

Stir-fried Sprouts with Meat

Ingredients: Sprouts, lean meat, garlic, scallions, seasoning, and cooking oil.

Preparation: Rinse the meat and cut it into thin slices. Marinate the meat with a little fish sauce and seasoning powder. Rinse the sprouts and soak them in salted water for about 10 minutes, then drain. Peel and mince the garlic. Cut the scallions into sections.

Cooking: Sauté the garlic, then add the meat and season to taste. Once the meat is cooked, dish it out. Add the sprouts to the same pan and stir-fry quickly over high heat to avoid overcooking. When the sprouts are just cooked, add the meat back into the pan and mix. Finally, add the scallions and turn off the heat. Enjoy your delicious stir-fried sprouts with meat!

Tofu and Sprout Soup

Ingredients: Sprouts, tofu, tomatoes, lean pork, and scallions.

Cooking: Marinate the tofu with seasoning for about 10 minutes. Cut the tomatoes into wedges. Slice the meat thinly. Heat oil in a pot and stir-fry the tomatoes briefly. Add water and bring it to a boil. Add the tofu, meat, and finally, the sprouts. Cook over high heat until the soup boils again. Add the scallions, and your tasty tofu and sprout soup is ready!

Stir-fried Sprouts with Chicken Gizzard

Ingredients: Sprouts, chicken gizzard, scallions, cilantro, seasoning, and chicken fat.

Preparation: Clean and slice the gizzard into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince the shallots. Marinate the gizzard with the shallots and seasoning for 5-7 minutes.

Cooking: Render the chicken fat until you get a good amount of oil. When the oil is hot, stir-fry the gizzard quickly over high heat until just cooked. Add the sprouts and continue stir-frying. Season to taste and mix in the cilantro at the end. Serve hot and enjoy!

These are just a few of the many tasty dishes that can be made with sprouts. I hope you’ll enjoy preparing these nutritious and delicious sprout-based meals for your family and loved ones!