The word “salad” derives from the latin word for salt “salata” and is called so because of salt being the main ingredient of  the dressing. A salad can be defined as a mixture of various raw green, leafy vegetables. Salads have been in existence since the early Roman times. Salads are generally  rich in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals as they contain raw vegetables.

Salads appeal to all kinds of people – even homemakers. Salads are useful substitutes for whole meals, sometimes. They also have high fiber content. Salads are essential for weight loss diets. People with diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol are also prescribed salads in their diets. They can be served after the main course as they aid in digestion. There are various types of salads. The most common type is the garden salad. Sprouts of seeds are also used in salads, mainly because of their high nutritive value.

Sprouts from seeds such as the bengal gram, wheat or chickpeas are easy to prepare. Soak the seeds in cold water for 10-12 hours.Keep them in a warm place. Sprouting begins after 6 – 7 hours. Keep them longer (for around 4 days) for longer sprouts. Sprouting of seeds increases their vitamin and mineral content.

Here is an easy to prepare sprout salad recipe. The ingredients provide sufficient protein, carbohydrate and fiber content. This salad contains about 350 kcal. It is a perfect meal for those who are fitness conscious.This recipe uses the natural juice of lemon, making it even more tastier. It   is low in fat content and wholly vegetarian.

Ingredients:

wheat sprouts – 1 cup or 100 gms,
chickpea sprouts – 1 cup or 100 gms,
cucumbers – 150 gms,
tomatoes – 1 cup,
onions – 50 gms,
chopped coriander leaves or parsley– 2 tbsp.

For the dressing:
lemon juice – 2 tsp,
freshly ground pepper – ½ tsp,
red chilli powder – ½ tsp,
salt to taste

Recipe:

Cut the tomatoes and cucumber into cubical small pieces. Finely chop the onions. Mix the sprouts with the tomatoes, cucumber and onions in a salad bowl. Now, add the lime juice along with salt, pepper and chilli powder. Toss the salad in the bowl. Finally, garnish with the chopped coriander or parsley leaves. Hey, presto, your salad is ready to serve.