Quarantine here in the Philippines has caused so much anxiety. Not only do we have to be worried about catching the disease, but two of the biggest problems are finding money for bills and consumption and where to get food.

I am fortunate enough to work from home. Thank goodness. So the next problem is where to get food? I live in a town that consists of only 1 bank and 1 grocery store. With the 500 families living here, I don't think our mini grocery store could supply all the demand.

We had to think of a Plan B, which resulted in growing mung bean sprouts.

Mongo seeds (the earlier stage of mung bean sprouts) are readily available in the Philippines and you can buy 1/4 kilo for just Php 15. We bought 1 kilo of it just to make sure. With just a handful, I put them in a mug to soak for 5 hours.

This is what it looked like after soaking. Little stems started to show.

How to Grow Mung Bean Sprouts

What you need

• A handful of mongo seeds
• Colander (or any plastic container that you can put holes in the bottom)
• Tissue paper
• Plate
• Plastic bag or garbage bag
• Water

Procedures

1. Soak the mongo seeds in water for 5 hours.
2. Meanwhile, put the tissue paper in the colander or strainer.
3. After soaking, transfer the mongo seeds into the colander.
4. Cover the colander with a plate.
5. Wrap both the colander and plate with a plastic or garbage bag.

Note:

• Mongo seeds tend to sprout better in dark surroundings (That's what the plastic or garbage bag is for)
• Make sure to water the seeds twice a day

Check out the progress below:

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

How to Make Togue out of Mung Bean Sprouts

What you need

• Lumpia wrapper
• Salt
• 1 small-sized onion
• Cooking oil
• Water
• Frying pan
• Optional: ground pork

Procedures

1. Once the stems are long and white with a few leaves sprouting, that's when you'll know they're good for harvesting.
2. Take the mung bean sprouts out of the colander and peel off their roots. Don't pull out their leaves.
3. Wash the mung bean sprouts.
4. Preheat the pan.
5. Cut the onion.
6. Put a little oil in the pan. Once hot, add the onion.
7. If you want pork with your togue, add the ground pork and salt to season.
8. Once the pork turned to brown, add the mung bean sprouts and mix.
9. Turn the heat to medium level and leave the mung bean sprouts for 2-3 minutes to cook.
10. Meanwhile, ready the lumpia wrapper.
11. Once the mung bean sprouts and pork are cooked, transfer them to a plate.
    Note: You can eat them ahead if you want to. I just prefer my mung bean sprouts wrapped and deep-fried.
12. Put enough mung bean and pork mixture on the wrapper.
13. Roll it up and seal it with some water.
14. Meanwhile, preheat the pan.
15. Put enough amount of oil into the pan for deep-frying.
16. Once the rolled-up mung bean sprouts are ready, you can start deep-frying.
17. Finished products can be put on a plate with tissue paper to absorb the oil.

Behold, the togue!

Definition of Terms

• Mongo seeds - or mung beans; baby version of mung bean sprouts
• Mung bean sprouts - "adult" mung beans; with stems and leaves
• Togue - Filipino dish; mung bean sprouts wrapped in lumpia wrapper and deep-fried

Hope you enjoyed this quick food-growing how-to blog. By the way, I was able to grow enough sprouts and turned them into togue that lasted to 4 meals, good for 4 people. With just Php 15 and 7 days of easily growing mung beans, you can feed your family for 2 days! 😊