Sprouts, Sprouts, Everywhere!

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."

Genesis 1:29

Well, here they are--some of my most favorite things in the world right now: my girls and my sprouts. (My hubby wasn't home when I took this picture, or else he would be pictured too--he's my favorite husband!) :)
Anyway, many of you have commented on my sprouting silliness. Some of you even wanted to know more about how to do it...so here goes my quick tutorial.

I started a couple weeks ago with a simple sprouting jar. (A sprouting jar is nothing more than a mason jar, with a lid that has a screen instead of a solid metal disc top. If you don't feel like running around online looking for them, you can find them locally at Fruitful Yield for $9.50)

For my very first batch, I took about a 1/2 cup of dry lentils...they are .99 cents for a 1 pound bag in the store...and I filled the jar 3/4 full of water and soaked them in the sprouting jar overnight.

In the morning, drain them out over the sink, rinse once, and store the jar on the counter on it's side. Sometimes, to ensure all the water drains out, I invert the mason jar in a bowl for a bit.

Some seeds, like alfalfa, need to be rinsed twice a day. I think this is because they can dry out quickly. But lentils and other seeds can be rinsed just once a day. Just keep an eye on them.

Sprouting times can vary, but sprouts are "ready" when the sprout is about 1/2 inch to an inch long. Once they get looking nice and tasty, I throw them in the fridge. This can be as long as 4 or 5 days from the start of the whole process.

I put them in sandwiches, wraps, salads; and I've had lentil sprouts by themselves with red wine vinegar and olive oil. My girls beg me for them prepared this way!

I have always been so gratified with the produce of my garden during the harvest time--the tomatoes are something that my family just goes especially wild over. So I am so happy to see there is something just as yummy that I can grow indoors for my family no matter what the season!

Happy Sprouting!