Making Sprouts from Lentils
Have you noticed how expensive bean sprouts are in the market these days? They are so healthy providing living enzymes and tons of vitamins. Sprouts can be sprinkled in salads, rolled in wraps, added in stir fries and soups, topped on cottage cheese, or just about anywhere your imagination takes them. You can sprout just about any kind of hard dry bean. One of my favorite sprouts is from lentils. Lentils are so versatile and a good addition to a cost-cutting budget. Here are the steps to sprout your own lentil sprouts......or any bean sprout you want. Live food enzymes are one of the most healthy foods you can eat.
#1 Glass jar, mesh screen, & rubber band
Find a medium size glass jar. I use a pickle jar. Then, you'll need a piece of mesh screen for draining over the top. I had a roll of screen out in the garage to repair window screens. You can also use any kind of mesh, like cheese cloth. Pour about 1/2 cup of lentils (or dry beans) into the jar. Fill the jar 3/4 way with water. Put the drain screen/cloth over the top and secure with a sturdy rubber band. Leave the top of the jar off. If you use a canning jar, leave the top lid off and just use the outer screw top. The lentils will need to breath and drain completely over the next 4 days.
#2 Drain Water the next day.....& days
The next day, drain the water and keep the sprouts turned upside down in a bowl or dish strainer. The goal is to have the water drain out as completely as possible, yet leaving the lentils moist with oxygen to sprout. The next day, pour water onto the lentils, rinse with a little swirling action, and completely drain again. Let sit upside down until the next day. Then, repeat this step of rinsing and draining for 2 more days. You will see the sprouts getting bigger everyday! In about 5 days, you will be able to harvest your sprouts for your enjoyment.
#3 Watch the Sprouts Grow each Day
If you're leary of eating beans because of the "gas factor"......don't worry.......the gas element gets unleashed while sprouting! It expels from the hard bean, and the hard bean becomes crunchy and delicious. This is such a good project with kids. They will learn to love healthy bean sprouts, because they had a hand in creating them!
#4 Enjoy Eating Sprouts!
Yum, Yum......fresh butter greens topped with lentil sprouts. What a great salad to serve to friends and relatives, because you have an instant topic of conversation and pride, because YOU MADE THE SPROUTS! Also try them in a sandwich or on a hamburger. The first picture above is a whole wheat bun with firm tofu, cocktail sauce, goat cheese and lentil sprouts, drizzled with avocado oil. The last picture is a stir fry with chicken, rice, broccoli, and sprouts. They add such an earthy green and crunchy element to your creations. Try different beans for different tastes, textures and colors. Store them in a strainer in the frig. Simple happiness comes when you bite into the first sprout. I guarantee it!!!
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