Fenugreek???????

[stuffed]

I got some free fenugreek seeds but have no instructions or really any idea what fenugreek is. I know it can be used as a green manure but apart from that can I grow it to eat and if so what is it like and how do I grow it ???

[stuffed]

[Curryandchips]

Fenugreek can be used a sprouting seed, see this link ...

http://www.sproutpeople.com/seed/fenugreek.html

I will be interested in any results you have ...

[stuffed]

Cheers for that.
I'd still be interested to know what the fenugreek plant is like if I were to just plant it.  I suppose the way to find out is to try it and see but at the moment I don't have a lot of space and don't want to grow something the family won't like.

[jeanaustin]

The part of the Fenugreek plant you eat is the seed - it can be sprouted (similar to mung beans) and used as a salad sprout, or is used in Indian foods. In some people eating the sprouted seeds can cause excessive perspiration and make them smell strongly of curry.

[jonny211]

You can also use the leaves in Indian cooking... not entirely sure how though. If you do happen to use the seeds use them sparingly and/or cook with the windows open becaues they're quite strong smelling. Also don't fry or overheat the seeds as they become very bitter (and very, very strong smelling).

Jon

[stuffed]

Well I've only got a small amount so I'll sprout them and mix with some other sprouts.
Good to know what I'm dealing with thanks for the info. :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Chop the leaves and put them in a curry or whatever you're cooking, the same as you would with coriander leaves.

[stuffed]

Maybe I'll grow one or two plants and sprout the rest, we do like a curry in this house ;D

[supersprout]

We regularly have fenugreek sprouts at home. Soak seeds overnight, drain, put in a jar and put some muslin over the top of the jar, secured with a rubber band. Rinse and drain at least twice a day until you get little sprouts (roots). When they are up to 1cm long, put in a bowl full of water. Scoop out the sprouts at the top - any hard, ungerminated seed will sink to the bottom. Drain, and mix with salad, curry, soup.

The leaves of the mature plant can be used like coriander - look for 'methi' in indian recipes (this is the leaf). Mix with yoghurt and onion for a nice raita. Methi is often sold in large fresh bunches in Indian markets or shops, and the owners are usually happy to give you ideas how to use it.

Your wee and sweat (skin) will smell charmingly of fenugreek for a good 24 hours after eating it 8)

[Curryandchips]

Regarding mature plants, is this an annual in the UK? I like the idea of raita using the fresh leaves.

[pakaba]

Hi
Thought you might find it interesting to know that fenugreek seed can also be used to increase milk supply in nursing mothers......... :o, well thats what some folk believe, i tried it with #2 son and it did seem to work........  :)

pakaba

[stuffed]

Wonder if it made it taste funny though :o :o

[derbex]

Isn't it used as a green manure too?

[carloso]

well i bought mine purly for green manure along with buckwheat and comfrey
I thought it was time i gave something back and also help myself in some repects fro attracting good insects etc and then again leaving me with some thing to dig in and from what i read comfrey is a very good fertiliser to add in for feeding tom etc

so sprouting seeds is going to be a bounus for me


carl

[Curryandchips]

This sounds like a very useful plant ... does anyone know of any disadvantages, other than perhaps the smell emitted after eating it?

[supersprout]

The smell of fenugreek is heavenly. Check your packet of curry powder, it's probably snuck in there as a powder made from the seeds. No drawbacks curry, just throw it around. To save you googling:
Fascinating botany, etymology and x-cultural culinary use, with excellent pix, at www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Trig_foe.html
Medicinal uses at www.theepicentre.com/Spices/fenugree.html (includes a recipe for vindaloo)
and for the ladies ;D:
www.breastfeeding.com/ all_about/all_about_fenugreek.html

[Curryandchips]

Thank you for those fascinating links supersprout. I was particularly interested in the ability of fenugreek to control blood sugars, making it of interest to diabetics. This might explain why when we have been out for an Indian meal and my daughter has polished a particularly large curry, her sugar levels are not as high as we would expect.

[carloso]

Excellent Super sprout !

very usefull web sites (ok ok so  i arnt going to use the Breast feed one lol)

carl