What do you think of when you think of sprouts? Mostly bean sprouts? Healthy folks buying all their organic produce at Whole Foods? Plump grannies addicted to Blue Bell Red Velvet Ice Cream? 🙂
Once upon a time, I had no interest in sprouts. I thought of them as tasteless, most often kinda slimy in the plastic containers at the grocery store, with yesterday’s date as the expiration date because not many folks bought them. But several years ago I decided, for some strange reason, to sprout some lentils. I put them in a salad and they were fresh and crunchy and nutty flavored. I liked them a lot! Then I put them on a sandwich and they were fresh and crunchy and nutty flavored and I loved them.
Those first lentils were sprouted in a Mason jar with a damp paper towel. Each day I would take out the paper towel and put in a fresh one and dampen it. The beans sprouted just like they were supposed to. Then I got a sprouting jar which was simply a Mason jar with a crew on plastic lid with holes. Water was added to the jar, it was swirled around just a little and the water was drained, simply to keep the sprouts damp with fresh water. Those beans sprouted just like they were supposed to also.
During the summer, I don’t do a whole lot of sprouting. We have all kinds of greens, peppers, cucumbers, etc. from the garden to put into our salads and on our sandwiches. But during the fall and winter, when fresh veggies for the salad and sandwiches aren’t always easy to find and aren’t always reasonably priced, my sprouting kicks back up into high gear.
Last week, while ordering other supplies, I found a multi layered sprouting container. Yesterday it arrived and I couldn’t wait to get it loaded up.
Into the first layer went radish sprouting seeds. Radish sprouts taste like radishes! They’re spicy . . with a bit of a bite!
Into layer 2 went a 3 part salad sprouting mix. This mix contains radish, broccoli and alfalfa.
Into layer 3 went clover sprouting seed. Clover sprouts are sweet and mild and I really just feel the crunch but don’t necessarily notice a distinctive taste with these sprouts.
Into the top tray went a bean salad sprouting mix. These are larger sprouts . . the kind I’ve typically seen in the grocery store. In this mix are adzuki and mung beans, green lentils and radish. Yep, I love radish sprouts.
Once the seeds have sprouted, they will almost fill each tray. These little packets of sprouting seeds go a really long way! The seeds will be kept moist and in 3 or 4 days, we’ll have plenty of sprouts for salads, sandwiches and snacks. Even the chickens will be happy to get a few sprouts.
Regina says
A while back you ordered sprout seeds I think from Amazon? Were you happy with them? I’ve run out of my supply… actually to be honest they got buried and I got out of the habit of sprouting, and now they are old and left too many unsprouted seeds for my liking. I need to restock!
Terri says
I hope you will show off your sprouts when they arrive.
Hugs
Helen B. Ellen says
I have purchased radish sprouts from the Farmer’s Market in our small town. I love them.
I’ve never sprouted seeds myself. Might have to try it one of these times.
Debi McIntosh says
You so inspire me Judy, I might have to start this up again – I used to do it when the kids were little – it sure will add some taste to the sandwiches and salad.
Gwen says
I would love to do alfalfa and try radish. Where do you buy your seeds for these? I checked Amazon and see several sprouters. I think jars with the screw on lids would be best for what I need. Is that where you found yours in the past? Thanks for your help!
wanda says
Well let me tell you sprouts are wonderful. I’ve been eating them since the 70’s. Yep flower child here. Any way here is how I eat them. Get you a couple of slices of good old wheat bread. Toast it . Then put a slice of swiss cheese on each slice and retoast it till melted ( I do under boiler). Then add sprouts on one side and Natures seasoning on top.,put slices of alvacado on that and a slice on tomato. Another way you can put stuff on then slice of cheese and melt that way too.Doesn’t matter what order just that cheese is melted and you add the rest. Boy is it good. They only way hubby eats sprouts at all. Boy glad I got sprouts today I need my fix.
Jo says
I alway grow sprout for my chickens! Especially mung beans – They LOVE them – it’s like their “crack” lol.
barbara says
you mentioned that you sprouted lentils. where those regular lentils for cooking? do you need to sprout special ‘sprouting seeds’, or can you sprout any seeds you like, like my kids did in school with dried peas and beans?