Sunday, March 3, 2013

Make your own bean sprouts!

If you get grossed out by store bought sprouts, fear no more... just make your own!

A lady from my work sprouts her own beans and seeds and snacks on them.  She knows I have an interest in food and growing my own things so she set me up to make my own bean sprouts.  They are quite easy.  All you need is a large mason jar, a square of screening (or cheesecloth), a rubber band, and beans or seeds of your choice!

To start off, I made alfalfa sprouts and lentil sprouts.  They are both great on salads and sandwiches.  Or just as snacks!

Here is what you'll need:




1 jar (per seed or bean or whatever you're sprouting), 1 piece of screening or cheesecloth to cover the jar, 1 rubber band, about 1/2 cup seeds or beans (I actually only used about 1/4 cup of alfalfa seeds, but I used 1/2 cup green lentils)




Place the beans in the jar, cover with screening and secure with rubber band.  Pour cool water over the beans until it reaches a couple of inches over the top.  Soak in a cool and dry place for 8 hours.  (I started in the morning and soaked all day).



After 8 hours, rinse beans and drain on a towel.  Keep on towel or drying rack over night.  Rinse and drain twice a day for about 4 days.  I usually rinse and drain before work and after dinner.




It's easy to just let it hang out in the drying rack all day.  The above picture was taken day 2 of the process, you can kind of see them sprouting a bit.  They expand a lot!



This picture was taken at day 3.  They are ready to eat now, but have only sprouted a little.  They still taste delicious!




Here they are all finished!  We actually went on vacation so this is as far as I got them to sprout, but they were still good 4 days later after sitting in the fridge.  Enjoy!!

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