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Lentil sprouts are a tasty way to enjoy lentils and are as easy to grow as other sprouts. The flavor is somewhat like fresh peas; they go well in any salad you'd usually add sprouts to or in a sandwich with a spread such as hummus. You may even enjoy eating them on their own.
Steps
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Place the lentils into a large, clean jar. Fill the jar with lukewarm water.
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Cover the jar. Cover the top of the jar with muslin or cheesecloth. Secure it in place using a rubber band or tightly tied twine. Absolutely do not cover the jar with the solid lid.
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Soak the lentils. Leave the jar in a warm place, overnight. The lentils must soak for at least 8 hours.
- Your hot water cupboard or in the kitchen near to where to cooking is happening can make nice warm places to encourage germination.
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Drain the lentils. Pour off the water the next day. Leave the muslin cover in place while pouring (this keeps the lentils in there). Turn the jar upside down and drain well. The easiest way to do this is to sit it in a colander or similar kitchen tool.
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Let the sprouting begin. Once drained, turn the jar on its side and leave in a warm place. Keep it away from direct sunlight.
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Rinse and drain regularly. Each day remove the lentils from the jar and rinse well. This moistens them and helps them to continue germinating, then growing. Remove any lentils that haven't germinated (begun to sprout) and return the sprouts to the jar to keep growing.
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Use when they have sprouted enough. The sprouts are ready to eat when they're about 3cm/1 inch in height. Usually this will be achieved after 2 to 3 days of growing.
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Use as wished. Lentil sprouts can be used in a variety of ways, such as adding them to stews and soups, tossing into stir-fries, plumping out a salad or part of a salad sandwich. Or, you can just snack on them as you like.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan you drink the liquid from the 8 hour soaking? It tastes bad, but I heard it's full of nutrients.Community AnswerNo! Don't drink it. It just tastes bad and does not give you any benefits. Also, the most important thing to remember is the water contains germs which were in the lentils.That water was only used for softening it and cleaning off the germs.
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Tips
- Sprouted lentils have a much higher vitamin content than when eaten as lentils.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Fine holed colander or sieve
- Large clean jar
- Muslin or cheesecloth
- Rubber band or similar elastic to secure the muslin in place
- Warm place to keep the jar
About This Article
Article Summary
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To sprout lentils, first rinse them thoroughly to remove any debris. Then, soak the lentils overnight in a jar of lukewarm water covered with either muslin or cheesecloth. Next, drain the water from the jar and set it on its side in a warm place. As the lentils sprout, continue to rinse and strain them daily. Finally, once the sprouts have reached around 1 inch in length, they’re ready to use! Keep reading for tips on how you can use lentil sprouts in your cooking!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Excellent step-by-step on sprouting lentils. The best part shows using a muslin cheesecloth instead of purchasing a special lid. I was so glad to read that! The pictures really helped, too." ..." more
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"Excellent step-by-step on sprouting lentils. The best part shows using a muslin cheesecloth instead of purchasing a special lid. I was so glad to read that! The pictures really helped, too."
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"Yes, it helped me a lot, because I'm a canary breeder and it's part of their diet. It is great in salads as well."
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"Well written and illustrated, easy to follow and absorb. Thanks."
"Very thorough directions! Thank you."
"Encouraged me to try this process!"
