Lentil sprouts are a unique protein product essential for vegetarians. It contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Germinating lentils is quite simple, there are many recipes for cooking dishes from a sprouted product. However, beginners definitely need to figure out how to germinate lentils correctly in order to get the most useful product.

Psprouted lentils: why they sprout

Sprouted lentils help lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Nutritionists recommend including lentil sprouts in the diet for obese people.

The product is a source of protein (26%), fats (2%), carbohydrates (53%), including fiber (19%). In addition, it is rich in chemical elements: vitamins, amino acids (lysine, tryptophan, methionine), macro- and microelements. The calorie content of the product is only 105 kcal. In lentils, you can find vitamins of group B, A, C, E, PP. It contains trace elements: chlorine (Cl), sulfur (S), potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P). Macronutrients: aluminum (Al), boron (B), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), fluorine (F), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iodine (I), bromine (Br ).

Product chemical composition after germination

After germination of lentils, the concentration of the following substances increases in it (per 100 g of product):

  • dietary fiber from 8.3% to 9.8%;
  • water-soluble antioxidants from 42 ml to 90 ml;
  • the concentration of ascorbic acid is increased 16 times (from 2.8 to 45.2);
  • the enzyme content increases up to 43 times.

Attention! An increase in the content of vitamin C during germination is characteristic only of lentils; in other crops, such features were not found.

Also, scientists have found an increase in other nutrients in seedlings: B2, B6, PP.

It has been proven that the activity of enzymes in sprouts is maximum on the third day, starting from the fifth day the level of enzymes is actively decreasing.

Sprouted lentils

The benefits of sprouted lentils

Regular consumption of dishes made from lentil sprouts has a beneficial effect on the body:

  • the digestive system improves;
  • there is a positive effect on the genitourinary system;
  • immunity increases;
  • improves skin color and elasticity;
  • the structure of hair and nails is strengthened;
  • the level of hemoglobin rises.

In addition to the above, research shows that if you take sprouts at least three times a week, the risk of cancer is reduced.

How to sprout lentils at home for food

How to sprout corn

Any varieties of legumes are suitable for germination. However, you should be aware that large seeds take longer to germinate, but they turn out to be more fragrant. How to soak lentils properly? There are two proven ways.

An easy way to germinate

How to germinate lentils at home? First, you need to soak it, rinsing whole grains under running water, and laying them out on a plate (one handful of grains is enough).

Lentils soaking

Soaking is done so that the water completely covers the grains.When asked how much water is needed to germinate lentils, experienced people advise taking about 150 ml of water for an average handful of grains. With this proportion, it turns out to grow a quality product.

The next day, drain the water, rinse the seeds and put it back on a plate to germinate. Add some water and cover with damp gauze folded in several layers. Thus, you need to soak for 3 days. Moreover, by the end of the second day, seed germination will be noticeable.

Important! When soaking, you can face a problem such as decay. The reasons may be: dirty dishes, poor quality water, insufficiently washed grains. Therefore, the purity of the product and dishes must be constantly monitored.

Growing lentils by the caning method

It is necessary to sort out large seeds from small ones and place them in a liter jar. Rinse and cover three quarters with water. The proportion of water is one glass of lentils per 200 ml of liquid.

After one day, rinse the beans and refill with water so that the beans are completely covered. Soak for another day by placing the jar in the refrigerator at a standard temperature of 15 ° C. Edible sprouts appear on the second day. But in general, the product should be soaked for three days.

You need to store the finished product in the refrigerator, but no more than 5 days.

How to consume sprouted lentils

How to germinate peas for planting

Beginners who are poorly versed in the question of whether it is necessary to soak lentils before germination at all probably do not know the cooking recipes either. Next, there will be several cooking methods.

Lentil salads

You can eat sprouted beans separately or as a side dish, adding to salads. Connoisseurs note that lentil sprouts taste like green peas, so you can safely cook homemade food from them.

"Slimyazhka" salad

  • 50 g germinated seeds;
  • 1 package of tofu cheese;
  • 1 cucumber;
  • 1 tomato;
  • 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice;
  • 1 tbsp. l. mustard oil;
  • greens (dill, parsley, onions);
  • salt to taste.

Cut the vegetables and cheese into cubes, chop the herbs. Put all the ingredients in a bowl, add oil, lemon juice, salt and stir.

Summer salad

  • 2 sweet peppers;
  • a bunch of greens;
  • 100 g sprouted lentils;
  • 2 tbsp. l. mustard oil;
  • salt and spices to taste.

Chop the pepper into strips. Put chopped greens, lentil sprouts. Salt, add spices, season with oil.

The vinaigrette

  • 100 g of germinated seeds;
  • 1/2 can of green peas;
  • 2 pcs. medium-sized boiled beets;
  • 1 PC. boiled carrots;
  • 3 pcs. boiled potatoes;
  • 1 PC. red onions;
  • 2 pickled cucumbers;
  • 300 g sauerkraut;
  • salt to taste;
  • mustard oil or lemon juice for dressing to taste.

Venigret

Peel boiled vegetables and cut into cubes. Cut the peeled onion into strips. Cut the cucumbers into cubes. Chop sauerkraut, add peas, soaked lentils. Mix all the ingredients and season with the vinaigrette.

Sprouted Lentil Sauce

  • 1/2 lemon juice;
  • a bunch of cilantro;
  • 100 g of germinated seeds;
  • salt and spices to taste;
  • 1 tbsp. l. mustard oil.

Place all ingredients in a blender bowl and beat until smooth.

Sprouted Lentil Soup

  • 1 medium onion;
  • 1 medium carrot;
  • 1 cup sprouted lentils
  • 2 tbsp. l. long grain rice;
  • 2 potatoes;
  • a bunch of greens;
  • 1 bay leaf.

Chop finely and sauté onions and carrots. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a saucepan. Add peeled and chopped potatoes. Rinse rice and beans and place in a saucepan. Cooking takes 20 minutes on medium heat. At the end, add salt, spices and finely chopped herbs.

Sprouted Lentil Soup

Sprouted lentil cutlets

  • 400 g sprouted lentils;
  • 1 carrot;
  • 1 bell pepper;
  • 3 tablespoons of flaxseed flour;
  • 3 tablespoons of mustard oil;
  • salt and spices to taste.

Chop the carrots on a fine grater. Peel and chop the pepper. Soak the lentils in advance and put in a bowl.Add the rest of the ingredients, grind with a blender until smooth. Form patties and fry for 2 minutes in oil on each side.

The benefits and harms of sprouted lentils

How to sprout beans

Doctors and nutritionists advise taking legumes in any form, as they are a source of essential nutrients.

Important! The product is especially necessary for women, as it promotes weight loss, is indispensable for problems of the reproductive system during menopause.

According to statistics, women are twice as likely to suffer from varicose veins of the lower extremities. Due to substances that strengthen the walls of blood vessels, the sprout diet is indispensable for patients suffering from varicose veins.

Beans are also useful for children - they normalize brain activity, strengthen the skeletal system.

It is not recommended to use sprouts for digestive problems. Legumes irritate the lining of the stomach, contributing to gas formation. It is not advisable to eat lentils for people with cholecystitis and a history of urolithiasis. Since the product promotes purine synthesis, it is not recommended for people with arthritis.

Thus, sprouted lentils are a unique product that has a beneficial effect on the body. As noted earlier, the product is beneficial for the central nervous system. It has the ability to prevent seasonal colds, being a source of antioxidants. It has been proven that if the pathogen has already provoked the disease, then the use of the product accelerates recovery. Also, lentils are indispensable in the recovery period after injuries and operations. During pregnancy, legume seedlings help to strengthen the body's immunity.