Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Healthy Broccoli Sprouts

For many years I have been sprouting off and on.  Right now I'm on again, so I am writing about it.  When I first started, I sprouted alfalfa seeds, mung beans and wheat.  I had three jars going at the same time.  I used the alfalfa and bean sprouts on salads and the wheat in bread.  After a while, as with a lot of things, I got out of the habit.  The last few years I have been doing it again.

Sprouting is so easy.  Basically you soak the particular seeds overnight, drain the water off and rinse them once or twice a day until they are sprouted and ready to eat.  Some seeds sprout very quickly and some take a while.  Right now I'm just doing Broccoli seeds.  I really like how they taste, although they do have a strong taste.   They have many health benefits.  There are many contraptions that you can buy to grow them in, but a jar and a way to drain the water off is all you need.  If you google 'sprouting', you will see more information than you care to read.

Broccoli sprouts are much higher than broccoli heads in sulforaphane.   This compound  produces enzymes that protect against damage-causing chemicals and inflammation.  The seeds are slightly bigger than pepper and a tablespoon will produce at least two cups of sprouts.  I make them more often and only use a teaspoon of seeds. 




These sprouts are almost ready to eat.  Another day or so.  Sometimes I use a salad spinner to spin out the empty seed hulls.  Once sprouted, they keep in the refrigerator for quite a while.


8 comments:

  1. I have wanted to try sprouting seeds and have never taken the time to learn. I eat at least one salad daily and I am sure that these sprouts would be very beneficial to me. I learn better from someone showing me, rather than reading. I think I shall search YouTube for a video. Are there any helpful hints or 'not to's' you could tell me. Seeds can be expensive in bulk, where do you get yours? I think I will give it a try. Thanks for motivating me to get started.

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  2. There isn't much to learn. You just soak the seeds and then drain them. They can't be too wet or they will spoil. Then just watch them grow. There are special sprouter jars or gardening stores have plastic mason jar covers that are mesh. They come in fine, medium and coarse depending on the seed. It makes it easy because you can turn the jar upside down and any excess water will drain out. Some seeds don't even need rinsing. If you can garden the way you do, this is a no brainer. It is truly soak, rinse and watch them grow. Youtube does have videos on it. As for the cost, I have to order online because I live in the sticks. I imagine garden centers or natural food stores would have seeds. I order from the Sprout House. They are having a 20% off sale now. They are expensive, but they last so long when you only use less than a tablespoon at a time. I priced broccoli sprouts at the grocery store and a small container was $4.

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  3. Barb, I would probably be using sprouts in my salads. Any suggestions on what seeds to start with? What seeds do you like? How do you use them? Why don't you do a HOW TO video and post it on YouTube? Make yourself a channel on YouTube with all your cooking, baking, craft and gardening skills...just a thought. :0) Lark

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  4. I don't know what seeds to recommend. It depends on your taste. Radish and broccoli have a stronger taste. I think alfalfa seeds are probably the most popular, the least expensive and easiest to find. I like broccoli seeds because they are so nutritious, but they are all good. I use them on sandwiches, in salads and sometimes I just eat them for a snack. I probably won't be making any youtube videos. I'm pretty sure that every single thing I do could be found somewhere on youtube, but thanks for the suggestion. You are the one with the skills. I know a little bit about a lot of things, but not enough to be an expert on any of them.

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  5. I forgot I have had them on a sandwich at one of our local organic restaurants in Milwaukee...YUMMY. Lisa's oldest daughter, Jaelin, loves sprouts too. I will teach her how to grow them. I am FAR FROM AN EXPERT in anything. I always say, "I am a jack of many trades and a master of none." Thanks for the suggestions on seeds. I think radish sounds good. I like spicy.

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  6. This is my fifth day with the broccoli and there are some that are JUST sprouting. Does your seed sprout quicker? Do you find the seed that you get on line has a better sprouting rate? Mine were from a health food store that doesn't have much of a selection. I wanted organic, the clerk said, "They are PROBABLY organic". That was a stupid answer. BUT I wanted broccoli seeds. LOL So I bought them. I tried getting the husks out by spinning...not good. A lot of the sprouts went through the spinner, OXO. I tried a spoon...forget it. Too time consuming. Maybe I will just eat them.

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  7. You should see growth by the 2nd day and by day 5 they should be almost ready. Do you have them in light? To get the husks removed, I just fill the container with water when the sprouts are finished and most of the husks float to the top. I just pour them out. Then I spin the excess water out. The sprouts should be big enough to stay in the spinner. Sometimes I don't even spin them, just make sure the excess water is removed or they will rot. I think you have defective seeds or they need more warmth and light. Good luck, it shouldn't take much time at all.

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  8. I have the jar on the counter, indirect light. Maybe my house is too cold. I think I will put the next batch on top of the refrigerator. I will also buy new seeds on line. Thanks for getting back to me.

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