Alfalfa Sprouts

I started making my own sprouts back when we lived in Boone.  I had asked the grocer once when they would be getting sprouts in since they'd been out of stock for what seemed like forever.  The guy was really rude and told me that if I wanted to buy a whole case, then he'd order some.

I happen to LOVE sprouts, and will eat them on most anything, but I have a really hard time eating a whole container of them before they spoil.  So, what I do is make small batches on a regular basis.  They take about a week and are VERY easy.

You can go to the health foods store and purchase special jars to use for sprouting if you'd like.  They have special mesh lids that screw on to allow for rinsing.  I just use a regular Wide Mouth jar and some mesh that I actually purchased at the fabric store on clearance.  All you really need is something that water can pass through.

A few spoonfuls of spouting seed will make a LOT of sprouts!

Get sprouting seed from your local health food store.  Alfalfa sprouts are shown, but there are other varieties to choose from.  One of my faves is the "sandwich mix" that contains broccoli, alfalfa, and radish or something like that.  The mixed ones end up looking very pretty and the radish is spicy and delicious!

Measure a spoonful or two into the jar.

You don't want to use too many of the seeds, no more than can cover the bottom of the jar.  

Mesh--several layers, and lid.

Half-fill with water.

One the FIRST day, go ahead and let them sit overnight in about a 1/2 jar of water.  The next morning, pour out the water.  You don't need to do anything to the mesh or the lid, just leave it in place throughout the whole process.

Rinse the seeds well, and pour out the water.  Roll the jar around until most of the seed have stuck to the sides of the jar.  Rinse and repeat the process at the end of the day, and every morning and evening until you've got sprouts.

You should start seeing some growth in a day or two!

When you see green, give it some light!

After 4 or 5 days, you will start seeing some green growth.  Hopefully you have kept up the rinsing.  Up to this point, sunshine hadn't really been necessary, but get it into the sun as soon as you see green and you'll soon have a lush crop!  Yum.  

After a final rinsing, I like to put them out on paper towels to make sure they are nice and dry before I put them into a container in the fridge.  

You can also leave them in the jar, but I don't like to have to stick my hand down in there to get them.  I guess I could use a fork, but whatever.