Friday, August 26, 2005
Lentils: Simple, Nutritious and Delicious
Lentils are one of the legume, or bean, family. However, they are very different in many ways. They are flat, they come in different colors (red, brown, yellow), they cook up faster than other beans, and they are one of the best legumes to sprout and here is why. All of the beans can be sprouted (provided they are alive - fresh), but most do not digest well without being cooked first.
Lentils, on the other hand, can be sprouted and eaten fresh. They provide great nutrition - being high in protein, calcium and other vitamins and minerals - they are crunchy and really delicious in salads, in wraps and pita pockets, and in other sandwiches.
Anyone can sprout lentils and here's how. In a pint jar, soak 1/2 cup dry lentils overnight in distilled or filtered water. Top with a sprouter lid, or some kind of mesh cloth - even a section of women's nylons - banded around jar neck. Drain, rinse, then rinse and drain well 3 times daily for 4-5 days. Rule of thumb: rinse at meal time when you are in the kitchen anyway. Without good drainage, sprouts are prone to spoil more easily especially in humid weather, so make sure to rinse well and drain well.
Now add these to your favorite salads and sandwiches. Enjoy!
For more complete information on sprouting, purchase your copy of Enjoy Nature's Harvest cookbook. See Great Health Books link on the right.
Lentils, on the other hand, can be sprouted and eaten fresh. They provide great nutrition - being high in protein, calcium and other vitamins and minerals - they are crunchy and really delicious in salads, in wraps and pita pockets, and in other sandwiches.
Anyone can sprout lentils and here's how. In a pint jar, soak 1/2 cup dry lentils overnight in distilled or filtered water. Top with a sprouter lid, or some kind of mesh cloth - even a section of women's nylons - banded around jar neck. Drain, rinse, then rinse and drain well 3 times daily for 4-5 days. Rule of thumb: rinse at meal time when you are in the kitchen anyway. Without good drainage, sprouts are prone to spoil more easily especially in humid weather, so make sure to rinse well and drain well.
Now add these to your favorite salads and sandwiches. Enjoy!
For more complete information on sprouting, purchase your copy of Enjoy Nature's Harvest cookbook. See Great Health Books link on the right.
