In our Konkani household, lentils and legumes play an essential role in our daily diet. Our meals are incomplete without Usal or gravy preparations that are made with legumes like Moth beans, Moong, lima beans (Val), black eyed beans or white or black Chana.
Procuring legumes in bulk is a monthly activity at my home and sprouting different legumes is like a daily chore.
As a kid, it was such a fascinating sight to my little eyes to see those dry store bought legumes magically grow white hairs on its head, and then I would stare at my Mother and Granny in amazement. Gradually I became aware of the science behind the sprouting of legumes.
My love for sprouted legumes still continues and with the knowledge of its numerous health benefits, I continue to consume it on a daily basis. It acts as a best option of healthy meal to satiate evening hunger pangs. I really like to pack it in my mini tiffin and eat it like a Bhel.
Here is the step by step process to perfectly sprout the Moth beans:
Ensure Moth Beans are clean and free of small rocks or any foreign objects. Put Moth Beans in a large bowl and add enough water that rises well above the Moth Beans.
Keep the bowl covered for 8-10 hours
After 10 hours, uncover the bowl. Matki should have soaked all the water.
Strain soaked beans through a strainer to get rid of excess water. Leave Matki unattended for 10 mins to remove excess water
After 10 mins, excess water gets removed. Put half quantity of soaked beans in a cloth. Tie a knot to make sprout bag. Cover with a sieve (for ventilation). Place at warm place for 24 Hours
In second method of sprouting, we will use Microwave. This method is suitable for winters: Heat at high power for 2 mins. Place in Microwave for 24 hours. Remember to turn off Microwave
After 24 Hours, we should have both types of sprouts ready. You can use it immediately, or refrigerate it
Let’s see how to refrigerate sprouts. Use a plastic air tight container for refrigerating sprouts. Ensure moth beans are completely dried before refrigeration. Any kind of moisture may result into foul smell from moth beans.
Place kitchen tissue paper in the container and add sprouts.
Cover the air tight container with lid and keep it in refrigerator.
Refrigerated sprouts last well for 10-12 days. If you wish to store sprouts for more than 2 weeks, then you must deep freeze it.
Tip of the Day: How to remove foul smell from sprouted moth beans If you leave sprouted moth beans unrefrigerated, it may produce foul smell. Add some salt to sprouted moth beans and rub it with hands to coat well. Rinse well with cold water. This will remove the foul smell
You can add sprouted Matki to make salads healthier. Make sprouted Matki Chat, Matki Usal and even Kolhapuri Misal.
Prep time:
Total time:

- 250 grams Matki (Moth Beans)
- Water
- Strainer
- Large Bowl
- Ensure Moth Beans are clean and free of small rocks or any foreign objects. Put Moth Beans in a large bowl and add enough water that rises well above the Moth Beans.
- Keep the bowl covered for 8-10 hours
- After 10 hours, uncover the bowl. Matki should have soaked all the water.
- Strain soaked beans through a strainer to get rid of excess water. Leave Matki unattended for 10 mins to remove excess water
- After 10 mins, excess water gets removed. Put half quantity of soaked beans in a cloth. Tie a knot to make sprout bag.Cover with a sieve (for ventilation). Place at warm place for 24 Hours
- In second method of sprouting, we will use Microwave. This method is suitable for winters:Heat at high power for 2 mins. Place in Microwave for 24 hours. Remember to turn off Microwave
- After 24 Hours, we should have both types of sprouts ready. You can use it immediately, or refrigerate it
- Let's see how to regrigerate sprouts.
- Use a plastic air tight container for refrigerating sprouts. Ensure moth beans are completely dried before refrigeration. Any kind of moisture may result into foul smell from moth beans. Place kitchen tissue paper in the container and add sprouts.
- Cover the air tight container with lid and keep it in refrigerator.
- Refrigerated sprouts last well for 10-12 days. If you wish to store sprouts for more than 2 weeks, then you must deep freeze it.
- Tip of the Day: How to remove foul smell from sprouted moth beans If you leave sprouted moth beans unrefrigerated, it may produce foul smell. Add some salt to sprouted moth beans and rub it with hands to coat well. Rinse well with cold water. This will remove the foul smell

Click here to watch recipe video
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