DIY: Sprouts
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Sprouting literally means bringing your dried seed back to life- which is a pretty cool process to watch and be a part of! The process of sprouting makes the seed more easily digestible and more nutritious. It’s easy to do at home and you don’t need any fancy equipment to do it!
A small amount goes a long way and its best to do little and often. Add as a topping to your favourite meals for a nutritious boost!
We’ve made it super easy and have a sprout mix ready to go for a great mix of sprouts that are a perfect meal topper. But you can also buy grains, beans and seeds separately to sprout on their own. Items that are good to sprout: Fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, dark speckled lentils, buckwheat, quinoa and bean mix (although as this contains kidney beans the bean mix must be cooked before eating as you shouldn’t eat raw sprouted kidney beans).
Ingredients (when in italics available from the van)
100g sprout mix (approx £1) (contains fenugreek, mustard, pumpkin, sunflower, chickpea, dark speckled lentils and buckwheat)
Total cost from Incredible Bulk approx £1
You’ll need a bowl, colander and an old glass jar sterilised with a piece of fabric for a lid and elastic band to keep in place.
Method
Rinse the seeds under cold water. Place into bowl and cover with three times the quantity of water. Set aside to soak for 8 hrs / overnight.
Drain the soaked mix in a colander and transfer to your jar, place the fabric on top and secure with elastic band. Place in an ambient place - out of direct sunlight, not too warm.
Each morning and evening rinse and drain the seeds (we tend to fill up the jar with water and then drain the water out) . Within a day or two you will see the sprouts start to grow! After around 3-5 days your sprouts will be ready to eat. Transfer to a fresh jar in the fridge, seal and use within 3-5 days. (Give the seeds a good rinse before eating).
Zero Waste Tips
Sprouts are often sold in plastic packets so growing your own at home is a great way to avoid single use packaging!
Reuse an old glass jar for your sprout container and use some old cloth for your fabric, no need to buy anything new!