04/08/2020 / By Zoey Sky
Home gardening is a beneficial practice, but it’s not always feasible for those who live in small apartments or people who are too busy to tend full-sized gardens. If you want to grow plants that can survive with minimal supervision, try sprouting.
Seeds that you can sprout include beans, grains or nuts. Never use seeds sold for planting because most of them are treated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
When choosing sprouts, consider these tips:
Sprouts contain enzymes that are retained when you consume them raw or uncooked.
Sprouts for salads and sandwiches
Salad sprouts are best for fresh salads and tasty sandwiches. These sprouts can be added to salads and sandwiches or blended into raw dips and soups.
Salad sprouts include:
Salad sprouts are often eaten raw, but some sprouted grains and legumes can also be consumed in salads or other dishes cooked under 113 F.
Sprouts for dips
If sprouts in a sandwich don’t suit your palate, you can incorporate sprouts into a dip. Combine sprouted legumes with salad sprouts and other seeds for a delicious and nutritious dip.
Sprouting seeds include:
Sprouts for bread, soups and stir-fries
Top a variety of dishes with the raw salad sprouts mentioned above or lighter sprouted legumes like lentils or mung beans.
Alternatively, you can add sprouted grains or legumes to other cooked dishes. (Related: You should be growing these 5 sprouts today – your body will thank you later.)
You’ll need simple tools like a one- or two-liter jar with a pierced lid for proper ventilation and drainage. Either buy sprouting jars in health food stores or repurpose a clean Mason jar with a metal disk and ring lid or any wide-mouthed glass container.
If you’re using a Mason jar, replace the disk with fine plastic, stainless-steel mesh, or muslin secured on the jar’s mouth with the metal ring or with a rubber band. When using muslin, wash the cloth between uses.
To prevent bean sprout poisoning, use seeds suitable for home sprouting and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Wash your sprouting equipment thoroughly with hot, soapy water. You should also wash your hands before and after handling seeds.
Below are the basic steps for sprouting. The steps can vary depending on the type of seed you choose.
Once the sprout tails appear, your sprouts are ready for consumption.
Taste sprouted seeds daily, then add them to your meals as desired. Some seeds lose their mild flavor if sprouted too long.
Grow sprouts in small batches and stagger the sprouting so you have fresh sprouts to eat every day. Drain sprouts well before storing them. Transfer to a glass or plastic container, seal tightly and refrigerate for a couple of days.
Cook with sprouts to boost your nutrient intake and improve your overall health.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: food supply, Fresh, green living, harvest, home gardening, homesteading, how-to, nutrients, organics, seeds, sprouting, sprouts, sustainable living, vegetables, veggies
COPYRIGHT © 2017 GREEN LIVING NEWS