Sprouts
A seed is a virtual bomb of vitamins just waiting to explode. The vitamin content of a seed can multiply many times in its first few days of germination and sprouting, and weight for weight, can be up to 20 times that of the mature plant.You can literally grow your own tiny powerhouses of energy.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Watering time: 1 minute twice a day
Growing time: 2-5 days
Which Seeds?
Many seeds are suitable for sprouting. Make sure you buy organic seeds, or those sold specifically for sprouting, or you risk buying pesticide-covered seeds intended for growing a mature plant from.Try these sprouts:
- Alfalfa
- Mung
- Radish
- Fenugreek
- Lentil
- Soy
- Cress
Method
Put a small amount (one or two tablespoonfuls) of seeds into a jar (remember they are about to expand manyfold) and cover the top with gauze or cheesecloth. The mesh needs to keep the seeds sprouts in, allow airflow, but keep out bugs.
Soak the seeds overnight in water. The larger the seed, the longer it needs to be soaked for, but overnight is sufficient as a rule. (If you venture to sprout larger seeds such as chick peas or broad beans you will need to soak them for longer, up to 24 hours.
Now you simply need to keep them in a warm place and rinse them frequently, and they will burst into life. Run them under the tap at least twice per day, and in two or three days, just when the first tiny green leaves are beginning to appear, you will have a jar full of fresh sprouts.
If you are unsure of how to know when your sprouts are ready, just taste them. They generally taste the best after two or three days, and after that they start to lose their sweetness. Lentils in particular, taste remarkably different when they have been left too long.
Once ready to eat, keep your sprouts in a covered container in the fridge until you are ready to eat them.
Pour off the soak water and rinse the seeds until the water runs off them clear.
Suggestions for Use
- In a green salad
- As a salad on their own: make a mixed sprout salad
- Sprinkled over your main meal
- Mixed with avocado and lemon juice and rolled in flat bread
- In sandwiches
- As a snack on their own while you work or watch a movie
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and recipes.
