Sesame Bean Sprouts

Sesame Bean Sprouts is a simple Japanese side dish that only requires 4 ingredients and only takes minutes to make. Today’s dish Sesame Bean Sprouts is so tasty that you’ll eat a whole bag of bean sprouts without even realising it!

Is it just me who buys a bag of bean sprouts and only uses a handful for a stir fry or salad, then wonders what to do with the rest? The bag sits there for a few days (they never seem to last more than a few days) then I end up tossing it out.

Well, this used to be me, but not anymore. Sesame Bean Sprouts is a perfect side dish/salad that you can make when you feel like you want one more dish added to your meal.

Why is it so good?

Isn’t it every home cook’s dream to be able to make delicious food in a small amount of time, with only a few ingredients and without using a stove or an oven? Sesame Bean Sprouts is exactly that:

• Use your microwave to steam the bean sprouts. No stove/oven is required.
• Cooks in 1-2 minutes and 30 seconds dress.
• You only need 4 ingredients including seasonings.
• It’s tasty.
• You can pre-make it, although there is really no need to make ahead as it takes so little time to make it.

Ingredients to make Sesame Bean Sprouts

Apart from a bag of bean sprouts, all you need to dress Sesame Bean Sprouts are:

• Sesame oil
• Chicken or vegetable stock powder
• Salt

The key is to dress the steamed bean sprouts while they are still hot to let the bean sprouts absorb the flavours.

How to cook bean sprouts in a microwave

It is quite simple – just wrap the washed bean sprouts in cling wrap and place them in the  microwave on high for 1 – 1½ minutes.

I use two long cling wrap pieces, layering one sheet perpendicular to the other to make a ‘+’ shape so that the centre becomes two layers. After washing the bean sprouts, place them in the centre of the cling wrap, then fold the 4 flap ends of the cling wrap over the bean sprouts to cover them completely. Make sure that there are no openings for the steam to escape.

It is important not to remove too much excess water from the bean sprouts before wrapping because the water is needed to steam the bean sprouts within the cling wrap. I use a large sieve to wash the bean sprouts and shake the sieve only once or twice, then wrap.

Dress Bean Sprouts While Hot

Steamed bean sprouts retain quite a bit of moisture. Once. steamed, it is important to squeeze out as much water as possible, otherwise the dressed bean sprouts will be watery.

It is also important to dress the steamed bean sprouts while they are hot so that the flavours get absorbed by the bean sprouts effectively.

You might find that squeezing water out while the bean sprouts are hot is quite challenging. I use a couple of layers of paper towels or a tea towel to wrap a handful of bean sprouts at a time and squeeze the water out.

Sesame Bean Sprouts is so simple that today’s post is very short – there is nothing more to say except I hope you will try Sesame Bean Sprouts.

Yumiko

P.S. Don’t forget to see the section ‘MEAL IDEAS’ below the recipe card! It gives you a list of dishes that I have already posted and the new recipe in this post that can make up a complete meal. I hope it is of help to you.

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Sesame Bean Sprouts

Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

2 mins

Total Time

4 mins

 

A simple Japanese side dish Sesame Bean Sprouts only requires 4 ingredients and only takes a few minutes to make. You don’t even need a stove to steam bean sprouts!

Recipe Type: Sides

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: bean sprouts, sesame dressing

Serves: 4 as a side

Author: Yumiko

Ingredients (tbsp=15ml, cup=250ml)

• 250g/8.8oz bean sprouts (fresh)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp stock powder (chicken or vegetable)
• ½ tsp soy sauce
• Roasted white sesame seeds to garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Rinse the bean sprouts, shake dry (retain moisture and do not dry completely), then wrap in cling wrap (note 1).

2. Microwave for 1-1½ minutes, then remove and unwrap immediately so they don't continue cooking. Note: if your microwave is not very powerful you might need another 30 seconds. The bean sprouts should not be as crisp as they were, but not limp either.

3. While the bean sprouts are still hot, squeeze out the excess water. Use a couple of paper towels or a tea towel if they are very hot. (note 2)

4. Place the bean sprouts in a bowl. Mix well with remaining ingredients.
5. Place the dressed bean sprouts in a serving bowl to share or individual small serving bowls. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the bean sprouts if using.

6. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

1. When wrapping the bean sprouts, make sure that there are no openings in the cling wrap otherwise the steam will escape and the bean sprouts will be undercooked.

I use two long layers of cling wrap, placing one sheet perpendicular to the other. After washing the bean sprouts, place them in the centre of the cling wrap, then fold the 4 ends of the cling wrap over the bean sprouts to cover them completely.

2. It is easier to take a handful of bean sprouts at a time to squeeze the water out.

3. You can pre-make it and store in the fridge for a day or two, although there is really no need to make ahead as it takes so little time to make it.

4. Nutrition per serving as a side.

serving: 68g calories: 49kcal fat: 3.5g (5%) saturated fat: 0.5g (3%) trans fat: 0g polyunsaturated fat: 1.5g monounsaturated fat: 1.4g cholesterol: 0mg (0%) sodium: 335mg (14%) potassium: 97mg (3%) carbohydrates: 3.8g (1%) dietary fibre: 1.1g (4%) sugar: 2.6g protein: 2g vitamin a: 0.3% vitamin c: 14% calcium: 0.7% iron: 3.2%