Big Batch Sprouting

If you are interested in sprouting several cups of beans at a time such as pintos or green lentils, just place them in a large pot, and fill no more than 2" deep.  Cover with a minimum of 4" of water from the top of the beans and soak overnight.  Drain, rinse and drain again in the morning, then rinse and drain at least two more times during the day.  Rinse and drain at least three times per day until beans sprout.  (Let sit in the water 4-5 minutes each time before draining well). I pour the soaking beans into a collander for ease of draining, then back in the pot.  Once little sprouts emerge from 80% of  the beans it's time to cover with 3" or more of water and simmer very slowly until tender.  (50% for pintos.)  In warmer weather especially, cook as soon as begin to sprout as the beans will not stay fresh as long as they do in the colder months.  A piece of cheese cloth over the pot in the warmer weather helps keep any additional 'protein sources' from flying in.  Why only a couple inches deep to start with?  A thinner layer of beans will allow needed air flow while they sprout on your counter. (They  will almost double in volume overnight.)   Without sufficient air flow they may develop mold and need to be thrown out.  Be sure the dried beans are less than a year old when used for sprouting. If the beans are older, soak 8-24 hours on your counter, drain, cover with water, drain, cover with Several inches of water, and simmer until tender. There isn't quite the same nutritional boost of sprouted beans, but there is still the added benefit of cooking much quicker than dried beans.
Of course Small seeds can be sprouted until the 'tails' are longer, then eaten raw.  Some examples are  brown lentils, sesame seeds, alfalfa, mung, and radishes.  These mix well in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.  When sprouting a small amount of seeds, all you need is a quart canning jar and ring, (plastic ring if possible) and a piece of very fine screening made of copper or stainless steel cut to fit the ring snuggly. The smaller the seed, the fewer you'll need.  For example:  1 1/2 T alfalfa seeds, but 2 T  mung bean seeds are plenty for a quart jar.
Enjoy!

Pinto Bean and Collards Soup

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Pintos and Collards Soup

5 T xv olive oil
2/3-3/4 cup onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped fine (1T)
1/2-2/3 cup celery, diced

5 cups sprouted, cooked, and drained pinto beans
1 quart (32 oz) canned tomatoes, chopped or pureed
1 cup unsalted bean juice
2 cups water
2 tsp whole salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 bunch collard greens, ribbed and cut into 3/4" pieces  (2 1/2-3 cups)

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Gently saute' first four ingredients for a couple minutes.  Add remaining ingredients except collards and almond milk.  Bring to a simmer then stir in the collards.  Bring back to a low simmer and cook covered, until the collards are just tender. (1-2 hours).  Stir in the almond milk, bring back to a simmer and enjoy.

Options:
1- Add 1 1/2 cups diced potatoes with the pintos
2- replace collards with 1 large red pepper, diced
3- To thicken soup: shake together 2 T arrowroot powder with 1/4 cup room temp water.  Stir into simmering soup at the end until it thickens then remove from the heat.

Homemade almond milk:  Soak 1/4 cup or more almonds overnight in the fridge.  Remove the skins and measure out a scant 1/3 cup.  Place the almonds, 2 cups water and 4 pitted dates into a high powered blender such as a Vitamix, and blend on high until a smooth liquid.    Extra almond milk is a delicious drink all on its own.  For a little fancier drink, add just a touch of vanilla.

Have a joyous and blessed day!