COOKING WITH SPROUTS

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Beans (legumes) : Mung, adzuki, lentil, soybeans, garbanzo beans (chick peas), and Alaskan peas are the most popular. It's sometimes a bit difficult to sprout the larger beans such as pinto and kidney beans because the larger the beans, the greater the chance of the beans fermenting. They'll need to be rinsed often and stored in a place not exceeding 80°F. Some sprouted legumes (soybeans, chick peas, Alaskan peas) need to be blanched in boiling water for a few minutes before eating in order to destroy a protein-inhibiting enzyme called trypsin. Bean sprouts can be cooked in your food, but add them towards the end of the cooking.

Grasses : Alfalfa, radish, red clover, and onion seed sprouts are a few favorites. These sprouts are better eaten raw. Add spicy radish or onion sprouts to your favorite coleslaw or potato salad recipe.

Grains/Seeds : Wheat berries, sunflower seeds, millet, rye, barley, and sesame seeds are a few varieties. Add wheat sprouts to your yeast breads to produce a lighter, higher loaf. Try toasting wheat berries or sunflower seeds for a nuttier taste. (Find toasting directions on page 27.) Use them in or on top of muffins or cookies instead of high-fat nut

Buying Sprouts

Your supermarket or health-food store may carry some varieties of fresh sprouts plus seeds and beans for sprouting. Since sprouts are highly perishable, market sprouts are often past their peak. Don't purchase sprouts in a produce section that's sprayed with water because wet sprouts spoil easily. Ask the produce manager what the delivery days are for sprouts. When you come to purchase them on that day, you may have to ask someone to go in the back to get them for you. (Don't expect them to love you for this.) Sprouts should be dry, crisp, odor-free, and without a "rusty" look.

Because sprouts are highly perishable, those found in the market are
often past their peak.

If you decide to grow your own sprouts, don't buy garden seeds since these are usually treated with poisonous fungicides. If seeds for sprouting aren't available, try mail-order houses such as the following:

Walnut Acres
Penns Creek, PA 17862
(800)433-3998

Diamond K Enterprises
RR # l, Box 30
St. Charles, MN 55972

Growing Your Own Sprouts

As for equipment, you'll need a canning or large mayonnaise jar, wide rubber band, and cheesecloth, or a sprouting kit from the health food store.

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