Fenugreek seeds (Methi) – the little big soldiers

Fenugreek seeds or Methi dana are yellow, rough, angular seeds regularly used in Indian Cooking. They contain protein, calcium, phosphorus, minerals (like zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron), fiber, carbohydrate, phytonutrients. It is rich in Vitamins A, C, B6.

 

Health Benefits of Fenugreek seeds:

• cleansing the body
• treating digestive disorders
• treating bad breath and body odour
• medicine for stomach ache
• age old remedy for diabetes
• soaked and grounded paste can be used for getting rid of dandruff
• helps to control cholesterol
• can be given to nursing mothers to increase the flow of milk
• used for treating Arthritis, Gout, Kidney Ailments
• Fenugreek tea helps in throat, fever, respiratory infection, like cough and bronchitis
• Fenugreek leaves are also very beneficial, many dishes can be prepared with it

 

How to sprout Fenugreek seeds:

Soak the seeds in water for 7-8 hours, after that drain the water and allow the seeds to remain in a container for 2-3 days. It will get sprouted, post which keep it in the refrigerator. Since it is a winter crop, it easily gets sprouted in cold climate. But when it is very hot after soaking in the water and draining out the water one can keep it in the refrigerator, it gets sprouted in nearly 7 days in the fridge. Infact it continues to grow in the fridge.

One can eat sprouted fenugreek without mixing anything, as it does not have very bitter taste after sprouting. If one is not able to consume like this, here is a quick easy to do recipe –

Fenugreek seeds pickle

Four serving spoons of sprouted Fenugreek seeds
Juice of two limes
Black Salt and Sea Salt as per taste
Half tea spoon red chilli powder (as per taste)
Mix everything together with a spoon in a bowl, leave it for few hours.
And it’s ready to be consumed!

This preparation can be kept in the refrigerator for many days. One can eat it with roti, mix it with dal, put it in poha, mix it with potato stuffing of aloo paratha etc.

After mixing it with lime juice it does not taste bitter.

Fenugreek Tea

Roast Fenugreek seeds till brown. Cool down and store in an air tight jar. Whenever you want to make tea, boil a cup of water, add two table spoons of roasted seeds, cover it for some time, strain and drink it.

 

 

by: Saroj Modi, Founder, The Inner Startup