Sprouting

Sprouting is the practice of germinating seeds that can then be eaten raw or cooked. Sprouts are extremely healthy and rawists, vegans, omnivores, and carnivores all love them. Growing sprouts at home is becoming more and more trendy.  According to my mother, “Sprouting is very popular with the young generation.”

Grocery stores (healthy ones) sell sprouting tools and seeds that allow one to germinate sprouts at home. The process is quite simple and just takes time and water. And then after the germinating process is done, you have a lot A LOT of sprouts that you need to eat– which is great and healthy!  Long story short, you place the seeds with water in a sprouting vessel and let them sit for several days at room temperature, rinsing them every so often with water. And voila, sprouts.

Sprouts are incredibly nutritious and contain lots of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes.  Sprouts also deliver these nutrients in a form that is easily digested and assimilated.  In fact, they improve the efficiency of digestion. Sprouts are also deliciously fresh and colorful and add a great crunch and speckle of color to any dish!

The sprout mixes come in little tiny packets, making them easy to store and keep on hand.

This past weekend, I was given a lesson by my ever-so-smart mother on how to sprout. We sprouted three different types of sprouts, using three different types of vessels. Each sprout is fairly different and the three different containers can be used with any type of sprout. We just used different ones in order for me to have a solid lesson! We used a mason jar, a bag, and a tray (each are built specifically to grow sprouts).

The three different sprouts soaking up water.

GREEN LENTIL SPROUTING SEED

These green lentil sprouts are a great snack. You see them on the counter growing and you just pop them straight into your mouth. Refreshing and crispy.

Green lentil sprouts are high in fiber, protein and amino acids organic green lentil seeds also include vitamins A, C, B complex and E, iron, calcium and phosphorous. Organic Green lentil seed sprouts make a good substitute for celery or green pepper in salads, soups and vegetable combinations.

BEAN SALAD SPROUTING MIX

A rainbow of sprouts!

The sprouts from this bean sprouts mix are delicious with lemon juice! Bean Sprouts Mix Includes Adzuki Bean, Mung Bean, Green Lentil & Radish. I also like to toss them on top of a green salad, and voila, GOURMET!

ALFALFA SPROUTS

Little seeds create little alfafa sprouts!

Alfalfa sprouts are the all time most popular sprout world wide, and with good reason: they are easy to grow, healthy, fresh and delicious. My favorite way to eat alfalfa sprouts is on a bagel with cream cheese. Deliciousness.

Post soak

Mason jars are good for small seeds, making them ideal for alfafa spouts.

The tray is handy for any sprouts. The good thing about the trays are that they are stackable so you can sprout many different types of sprouts at once without taking up too much space.

The bag for sprouts.

Green lentils 12 hours later and already starting to sprout.

Alfalfa sprouts 12 hours later.

Salad bean mix 12 hours later.

Getting ready to eat!

FINIT!

Lunch is ready!

Directions:

* First soak the beans in water overnight.

* Then, drain any water that is left over and place them in the container you want them to sprout in (tray, bag, or mason).

* Rinse the beans 2 to 3 times daily (make sure all the water is completely drained each time)

* Once they are sprouted, place them in the fridge and starting eating away!

* The process time varies depending on the beans, but usually takes 2-3 days.

Handy Pantry is a great company that sells organic sprouting seeds online and in grocery stores around the country. They offer a huge selection of organic sprouting seeds and mixes. There is a huge selection to choose from. Handy Pantry also sells the hardware for home sprouting – makes a perfect gift! As ridiculous as it sounds, I would be so happy to receive a sprouting kit as a birthday present. Fun, healthy, unique, and interesting!

According to Handy Pantry, the top 10 reasons to sprout are: (1) 1 tablespoon of seeds creates a lot of fresh sprouts (2) Sprouting is simple and easy (3) They are fresh and grow quickly (4) Toxin free food (5) Sprouts are a complete food (6) Tasty and delicious (7) Highly nutritious (8) Low in calories and fat (9) Help cleanse and oxygenate the blood (10) Helps build your immune system.

I like to eat sprouts in salads, on sandwiches, on pasta, and cooked kale. Basically, the sky is the limit and everything seems a little crunchier and healthier with a splash of sprouts on it!