Sprouted lentils are one of the cheapest superfoods out there and you can make them yourself. Let me tell you, it is so easy to learn how to sprout lentils. Anyone can do it! All you need is a handful of lentils, a mason jar and some cheese cloth. In just 3 days you will have transformed an ordinary healthy food into a nutrition powerhouse.
Part of healthy living involves eating living food. We don’t get a lot of that in an ordinary diet, but sprouts are a great way to infuse your diet with life. It’s the kind of food that enlivens your body with energy and makes your skin glow, as opposed to the junk that comes wrapped in plastic and sits like a lump in your gut. In the West, people refer to this as consuming unblemished enzymes. In India, it’s referred to as receiving prana, the life force that is in every living thing. The bottom line is that eating food as fresh as possible brings us great vitality.
Nothing beat garden eating for that, but what about protein?
Sprouting beans and lentils is ironically both the cheapest and the most highly nutritional way to eat. Best yet, it’s super easy.
Benefits of Lentil Sprouts
- Aids in detoxification
- Excellent source of B vitamins, vitamin C, and carotene
- Increase ability to absorb magnesium, iron, calcium, copper, and zinc.
- Normalizes digestion.
How to Sprout Lentils
1. Rinse 1/2 c lentils. Place them in a glass jar or bowl. Cover with several inches of warm (not hot) water. Use a cheese cloth for a breathable lid.
2. After 8-12 hours, drain water. Lentils will have at least doubled in size. Rinse with fresh water and tilt jar so it can drain. Keep it covered and rinse lentils 2-3 times a day. Keep them stored in a dark location.
3. After 2-3 days, sprouts will have grown to a half an inch and they are almost ready to eat. Simply flood the sprouts with water and let the bean hulls float to the top, so you can skim them off.
4. Place lentils in a sunny location for a day, so they can green. This activates chlorophyll and adds tremendous nutrition. You can now eat them raw in salads or pita sandwiches or cook them. You can store them in the refrigerator for a week or more if you rinse them every other day.
How to Eat Lentil Sprouts
You can throw lentil sprouts onto any salad for a nice protein boost. You can also mash them up and add spices and some mayo for a nice sandwich spread. They are a great snack with just a sprinkle of sea salt.
My favorite way to eat them is Gingered Lentil Sprouts Stir Fry. It’s a really quick meal, bursting with flavor and nutrition.
Happy Sprouting!
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