Sproutin' Up!

Sprouts are a tasty addition to any salad or sandwich.

They can even be added to stir-frys or casseroles.

Aside from the extra crunch and added flavor they provide,

they are a nutritional boost to the diet.

We wanted to see if we could sprout our own.

What a great homeschooling project

or simply a fun way to get kids interested 

in where their food comes from.

Here's how we did it.

day 1

Take 1/2 C of raw beans or seeds

(I used lentils here)

and place them in a jar

with enough water to cover them.

Let them sit on a countertop or in a cabinet for a day.

I used a loose lid at first, then a paper towel to cover the top

fastened with a rubber band,

but if you have cheesecloth, you can use that.

day 2

Dump the soaking water.

Then rinse the beans and drain the water.

Place back on countertop with cover.

Repeat the rinsing process once before bedtime.

You can see that by the second day,

they are already sprouting!

day 3

I transferred them to a larger jar (quart-sized)

and kept rinsing and draining twice daily.

day 4

They are ready to eat when the tails are longer than the bean.

These will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

I leave 'em right in the jar and add them to my lunches.

What an easy and fun way to add more flavor and nutrition to your diet!

You can read more here and here.