Sprouts Tangy Salad (Spourts Bhel)

Indian cuisine snack list is not complete without 'chaat'. So for those who do not know what is 'chaat' here is a quick definition - savory delights, usually fried dough, mixed and served with potato, onion, variety of masala and sweet n sour chutneys. The word 'chaat' in itself means tasting delicacy. But like with many other traditional foods, modern age foods, though inspired by original, are modified to fit in the healthy menu.

The chaat above has all traditional flavors but with a twist of all healthy ingredients. The main ingredient is mung bean sprouts. 1 cup of mung bean sprouts has less than 30 calories and high amount of 28% Vitamin K, 23% of Vitamin C, 16 % Folate and 5% of iron. Can you really ask for more given the fact it is just 30 cal? Also, they are one of the easiest to make at home. Raw mung bean spouts in fridge easily last upto 2-3 weeks. I will put in the method as a note in the end.

Recipe
serves 2
2 cups mung bean sprouts, steamed
1 onion, diced
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced
2 Tbsp tamarind sweet chutney
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder
a pinch asafoetida
1tsp lemon juice
salt to taste
1/4 cup Indian sev or crushed Indian Papdi (optional)

• Steam the mung bean sprouts in any steamer for 7-8 min. Drain.
• Heat a pan with 1-2 tsp of oil and add a pinch of asafoetida (add asafoetida to hot oil).
• Saute the drained sprouts in the pan for 4-5 min. Let it cool.
• Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, toss together onion, tomato, cucumber, lemon juice, salt, red chili powder, cumin powder.
• Now add the cooled mung sprouts and tamarind chutney and toss again to mix well.
• Garnish with Indian sev or crushed papdi.

Note: Making Mung Bean Sprouts At Home

• Soak 1 cup of mung beans overnight.
• Drain the excess water next morning and leave it semi covered on the kitchen counter for two days, preferably at the spot which gets a little sunlight.
• If the mung beans look to dry the second day, sprinkle some water.
• At the end of two days you will beautiful crispy long sprouts.

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