I've been storing our brown rice in the freezer these days....and for a very good reason. The other day I found some worms in it! I know, so gross...but I figure there are thousands of people around the globe who deal with these critters on a regular basis and it's no big deal. So instead of freaking out and tossing the unused rice, I thoroughly sorted it, uncovered the little worms, and fed them to our goldfish. But being the super hygienic brainwashed American that I am, that still wasn't enough to convince me that those invaders didn't leave anything behind. While I was obsessively soaking and rinsing the rice it occurred to me that I hadn't tried sprouting it before. Soooo...three days of rinsing later, I decided to make it for supper. Since it has absorbed so much water already, it only needed one cup water per one cup rice....and voila! super sprouted brown rice supper! (sans the worms, thank you very much...) It still had that yummy brown rice chewy texture...and so easy! Give it a try!
I'm sprouting some wheat berries in a jar...they're sitting in my windowsill now.
Though most of you may think this is odd, "out there", and perhaps a waste of my time...let me explain.
We buy sprouted grain "squirrelly" bread from Costco (two loaves for 4.29) and use this as our staple bread. Toast, sandwiches, breadcrumbs, etc. Brent is sensitive to wheat (as am I) but does not notice the same ill effects when he eats sprouted grain bread. Though approx. $2 a loaf for this type of bread is quite a "steal", you can't beat the .69 cents a pound for organic wheat berries at our local health food store. Since reading about the amazing health benefits (VItamin C production, an increase in the vitamin B content, eight times the amount of carotene, numerous digestive enzymes, and other 'stuff' that takes time to explain) from eating sprouted grains, legumes, and seeds in "Nourishing Traditions" (there's that book again...can you tell that I'm 'knee deep' in it right now?) I decided that it's time to try this at home.
Here's how:
1. Fill a mason jar 1/3 full with a grain or seed.
2. Add filtered water to the top of the jar.
3. Soak overnight and then pour off the water.
4. Rinse the seeds well, 2-3 times a day (legumes more often).
I ran water over them in my small strainer, and dumped them back in the jar. She suggests cutting out a round wire screen to fit the jar mouth, and then screwing the lid on without the solid insert. This way you can rinse them without having to take them out of the jar. I guess if I decide to this on a regular basis I will upgrade my system...I'm on a trial basis now, however, so I'll wait and see.
5. The wheat berries should be ready in 3-4 days...we'll see. I'm on day 2 and there are already little sprouts!
What's next, you might ask.....?
THIS is what I'm going to try...though I'm a little skeptical about how it will turn out. If that isn't a favorite, then I'll try THIS recipe. I'll keep you posted...
