Farming: Red Clover & Broccoli Sprouts

Preparation Time: 10 minutes (everyday)
Duration to Harvest: 6 - 7 days

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 Tbsp of Red Clover Seeds (organic)
   
2. 1/2 Tbsp of Broccoli Beans (organic)
3. Water
   

Steps (Day 1):

1. In a container (glass bottle or plastic box that can places food), put in both seeds.
2. Add in water (never use boiled water because the seeds need oxygen from the water) to fill the container into half-full.
   
3. Leave the container in a dark place & away from light (make sure it is not covered) for 8 hours or over night & allows germination process.
   

Mix both red clover & broccoli seeds makes the sprouting easier (broccoli seeds need more care than red clover).

How much of seeds depend on the size of the container.

For this glass bottle, I fill it with a layer of seeds covering the bottom.

Remember not to put in dead water (boiled water).

More than half will do.

Leave it for 8 hours.

Steps (Day 1 - after 8 hours):

1. The water turns yellowish & you can see the dirt. Also, the seeds become a bit bigger than before (the seeds absorb water & prepare for sprouting).
   
2. Pour out the dirty water & drain the seeds (you can cover the lid with a cloth that has very tidy holes to avoid you accidentally pour the seeds out).
3. Pour in water & shake the bottle (like washing the seeds), then drain the seeds.
4. Wash the seeds & drain them again.
   
5. Leave it uncovered in a dark place overnight.
   

You can place the cover on the lid, without closing it to prevent unwanted dirt.

Must wash & drain twice to discard the dirt.

You can shake the bottle to distribute them evenly.

Seeds become bigger after germination process.

Steps (Day 2 - day & night):

1. Some seeds start sprouting in the container.
   
2. Wash & drain the sprouts twice in the morning.
   
3. Leave it uncovered in a dark place.
4. At night, wash & drain the sprouts twice.
   
5. Leave it uncovered in a dark place overnight.

Broccoli seeds may sprout slower than red clover seeds.

You need to be careful when you drain the seeds.

The seeds will become too wet if you did not drain them well.

Steps (Day 3 - day & night):

1. You may see some fury stuff with the seeds (it is the broccoli sprout). Also, some uneasy smell from the sprouts (broccoli sprouts have a stronger one).
   
2. Repeat the steps you have done in day 2 - wash & drain.

The sprouts grow bigger in day 3.

And sometimes squeeze together for more space.

Normally the bottom ones will get wet a bit.

Whereas the top ones are dry.

Steps (Day 4 - day & night):

1. Repeat the steps in day 3 for day & night.

Almost ready to.

You can transfer the sprouts to another container to discard the hulls as well.

Still growing.

Steps (Day 5):

1. Wash & drain the sprouts twice.
2. Now, you can transfer the sprouts into another container.
3. Leave them in a place that has light source (but not directly sun-light).
4. The sprouts can be consumed within day 5 & day 7 (depends on your preference).
   

Again, make sure they are well-drained.

It is difficult to separate the hulls.

You can enjoy your healthy sprouts anytime you want.

Red clover sprout (on right) has a simple leaves.It is good in lowering cholesterol, improving urine production & blood circulation (reducing the possibility of blood clots & arterial plaques) & limiting the development of benign prostate hyperplasia. Also, it is used for hot flashes/ flushes, PMS, breast enhancement & breast health, & help to prevent osteoporosis. However, it has side effect also (http://menopause-herbs.femhealth.net/red-clover-benefits-side-effects.htm).

Broccoli sprout (on left) has leaves like apple shape. It contains cancer-protective compounds (sulforaphane). Three-day-old of broccoli sprouts contain 10-100 times higher levels of glucoraphanin (the glucosinolate of sulforaphane) than the mature plants. Also, it contains Vitamins A, C & E, calcium & fiber, among a long list of nutrients.

I found that it is much more easier to sprout on some flat surface, especially on transparent container.

The sprouts spread evenly and grow tiny (you can see the roots also).

And, it is easy to drain by using a fine sieve.

Tips:

1. In order not to waste too many water, you may use the 'dirty water' to water other plants.
   
2. You can start another sprouting in day 3 or 4; depends on your demand.
3. You can get some organic seeds from some Internet stores if it is difficult to find in your place.

Recipe: Glutinous Rice Ball Fillied with Red Bean & Coated with Black Sesame Powder

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes

First 10 minutes in high heat & remaining 50 minutes in low medium heat.

Keep on stirring to avoid the red beans burn & stick on bottom.

Red bean paste (blended cooked red beans, brown sugar, cinnamon powder & salt).

Mixed black sesame seeds powder, brown sugar & salt.

To make a rice ball: Firstly, roll it.

Secondly, make a hole.

Thirdly, seal it to close the gap.

Rice balls in boiling water (they sink when you put them in).

Then they float (to show they are cooked).

Rice balls in ice water.

Remember to drain the rice balls.

Coated with sesame powder.

Of course you need to roll all evenly.

They smell great.

And taste delicious too!

"ta-rang! Glutinous Rice Balls Filled with Red Bean Paste & Coated with Black Sesame Powder".

Enjoy! ;)

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups of Glutinous rice flour
2. 1 1/2 cups of Boiling water
3. 1 cups of Red bean (washed)
   
4. 2 cups of Brown sugar
5. 1 1/2 cups of Black sesame seeds (rise & drained)
   
6. 2 3/4 tsps of Salt
7. 1 tsp of Cinnamon powder
   

Steps:

1. In a pot, cook red bean with 4 cups of water (heat over high heat for 10 minutes, then simmer in low medium heat for 50 minutes).
2. In a bowl, mix glutinous rice flour, 4 Tbsp of sugar & 2 tsp of salt.
   
3. Pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water into (2) little by little & mix to form a dough. Cover with plastic bag & set aside.
4. Cook sesame seeds in a pan over medium heat (remember to stir).
5. Lower the heat once the sesame seeds pop, keep on stirring until they are crispy (about 5 minutes).
6. When the sesame seeds cool down, grind them into powder form.
7. In a separate bowl, mix sesame seeds powder, 4 Tbsp of brown sugar & 1/4 tsp of salt.
8. Once the beans are fully cooked, crush or blend them with 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp of salt & cinnamon powder.
9. Divide dough into 2 & roll each to form a cylinder shape with your hand .
10. Divide & cut the dough into 40 pieces.
11. Roll each dough & make a hole in the middle with your thumb.
12. Put some red bean paste into the hole & close it tightly.
13. Repeat previous 2 steps until all rice balls are filled with red bean paste.
14. In a pot with boiling water, put in all rice balls carefully & cook them until they float (about 3 minutes).
    
15. Transfer the cooked rice balls into ice water & drain them.
16. Roll the rice balls in the bowl with sesame seeds powder.
17. Ready to serve.
    
    

Tips:

1. Remember to keep on stirring the red beans while cooking.
2. You may need to add more cups of water if the heat is too high or the red bean is too dry.
   
3. You can roll the rice balls according to your preference sizes (but too small is difficult to close the section).
4. Don't put too much red bean paste into each rice ball (it makes the rice ball difficult to seal).
5. When you seal the rice balls, press slowly with gentle (pressing too hard will break the rice balls).

Recipe: Carrot Cake

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 40-50 minutes

Ingredients:

1. 4 eggs
2. 1 1/4 cups of Vegetable oil
3. 1 1/2 cups of Brown sugar
4. 2 tsp of Vanilla essence
   
5. 2 cups of All-purpose flour
   
6. 2 tsp of Baking soda
7. 2 tsp of Baking powder
8. 1/2 tsp of Salt
9. 2 tsp of Cinnamon powder
   
10. 3 cups of Grated carrots
    

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla essence.
2. Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon powder. Beat well.
   
3. Stir in carrots until the mixture form evenly.
   
4. Bake in a preheat oven at 175ºc for 40-50 minutes.

Tips:

1. When you prepare the grated carrots, there is excessive juice extracted from the grated carrots. Do not throw it (mix the juice into the mixture).
   
2. The mixture will look quite wet and liquid-type (don't worry).
   
3. You can substitute grated carrots with grated pumpkin (it tastes nice as well).