Don't get me wrong, I love winter. I like the snow. I like the cold. I like cuddling with a blanket and drinking tea. I love eating soup and having it warm my bones all the way up from the inside. All those things that go along with dropping temps.
But sometimes winter is well, dreary, bleak and very persistent, unwielding and dismal. Spring is a little lift that you look forward to. Something that looks like hope that you grab onto. It is the dawn that breathes life into the very core of your being.
You search for it. You wait. You want...
I made these sprouts and it reminded me of spring... new life. I have made them before with store bought brown lentils. They were very delicious. I was hesitant about posting them because there are all these warnings about ecoli and other dangerous bacteria. I didn't want something bad to happen to you because I promoted it. I have wrestled with this because I was a little apprehensive for our own safety. But you know, I think if you clean adequately and follow instructions it probably poses no greater risk than canning or eating raw eggs (ie. tiramisu). So I am pressing on. If you do grow your own sprouts read all the warnings and decide whether it is worth the risk for yourself.
Sprouting Alfalfa
Source for sprouting
1. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of alfalfa seeds in a cleaned and sterilized mason jar. Pour in 2 cups of cold water. Cover with a cloth that allows air in and out and let rest overnight.
2. Drain and rinse with cold water through a fine mesh sieve in the morning. Drain and let rest overnight again. You can rinse twice a day if you choose. If your place is cold I think once a day is plenty. If it is warm you run the risk of harmful bacteria growth so it would probably be better to rinse twice a day.
3. Rinse and drain again. Once your alfalfa is matured (2 or 3 days), let sit in the sun for about fifteen minutes to give a nice color to the sprouts. Refrigerate and use within three days.
If at any point something smells bad to you- throw it out- it's just not worth the risk.
Our favorite way to enjoy sprouts is with avocado, lettuce, radishes on a sandwich. Delish!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sprouting Alfalfa
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I think as longs as you give good instructions for doing it right you shouldn't feel like you can't promote this. Its amazing how we've gotten so scared of food.
I know Kat- I think it increases peoples reliance on big business to make their food.
I didn even know this Lori :-))))...but so agree they do remind me too of spring as well ,that too i live in place ...that is almost 4ever summer..../.
Thanx for this post and i love cuddling too sipping black coffee or hot chocolate or chai...
have a fantastic weekend sweety....
i can't see the word 'alfalfa' without thinking about the little rascals. :) this is a great, informative post, lori--i've already learned my one thing for the day!
Hi Lori, I can't remember whether it was you or someone else that was curious about Indonesian layer cake. Anyway, I just post it briefly on my blog :)
The sprouts definitely sounds delicious!
I remember doing this back in the 70's but I didn't relise there was danger involved. LOL We even had some gadget container for them. Someone made a nice buck on those sprout containers.
I cant wait for the pretty Spring days.
Ditto on the winter weather! Thanks for posting on sprouts....I've been thinking about doing this as a little project with my son and maybe this will prompt me along:)
I eat cookie dough with raw eggs all the time and have never had a problem, so I wouldn't be afraid of a few sprouts. They like so tasty on your sandwich!
Reading your blog makes me smile (almost every time). It must be the way you write. :)
Murasaki- that is a really great compliment!
I like the idea of growing sprouts, I like looking at them. I don't like eating them. Tastes the way cut grass smells, grins.
Thanks for this post! I had been thinking I needed some info on how to sprout grains and such, I see it done a lot on my indian bloggers sites!
I need to try this. It drives me crazy when the supermarket doesn't have sprouts for my sandwiches. I also love keeping my food local and you can't get more local than this!
Nothing like living life on the culinary edge. :) I'm the dummy that would not quite understand something, do it wrong, and end up sick. I joke but one of the twin had very serious food allergies. I'm paranoid of the kids getting sick from something bad that they've eaten.
I do think it very cool that you are not intimidated by new or different things. You inspire me and I'm certain a lot of other people.
~ingrid
Post a Comment