Store bought sprouts can be kind of pricey and that’s if you can find them at all. The ones I’ve bought in the past have cost around $3-$4 for about 4 ounces of sprouts and usually I’ve only been able to find a very limited variety. So I’ve started growing my own. It’s super easy and super healthy.
The benefits of eating sprout can be numerous. Livestrong.com says, “According to Johns Hopkins University, 3-day-old broccoli sprouts contain as much as 50 times the amount of some of the health-boosting phytonutrients of the mature broccoli head.” So eating a few sprouts is better than eating a whole lot of broccoli!
Below I share a short video and some photos on growing your own sprouts. Then, I’ll share with you my recipe for bruschetta which is one of my favorite summer foods (although I make it during the other months too).
I love to add sprouts to my bruschetta. It makes it healthier, prettier and it tastes great.
Here we go!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Quart Jar or Pint Jar, depending on the quantity you’d like to grow.
- Jar Ring
- Sprout Seeds
- Cheesecloth
This cheesecloth was purchased at Walmart in the paint supplies. 
This is the blend my darling husband likes–broccoli, alfalfa, and clover. I bought it on Amazon.com
Here’s what you do:
Soak the sprouts for at least 6 hours. I usually soak them for about 24 hours. Cover the jar with a small piece of cheesecloth. I use about 3-4 layers. Use the jar ring to hold it in place. The cheese cloth allows the water to drain and let’s your sprouts breath. You don’t want to cover the jar with a lid.
Rinse the sprouts and then let them drain completely by propping them on a mug or a small bowl. Basically you are just watering your sprouts. You want the air to be able to get to the sprouts. That’s why I prop it at an angle like this.
They are starting to sprout.
Sprouts are ready to eat!
Here’s what you will need to make bruschetta:
- 1 Loaf of French Bread
- Goat Cheese (this is optional but it’s so, so very good!)
- Sprouts
- Butter
- 1 container of grape or cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil, 8-10 leaves. I use scissors to snip it up into small pieces.
- Garlic (I use the minced garlic in a jar.)
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar (it’s important to use Balsamic. Don’t try to substitute another type of vinegar.)
- Salt & Pepper to taste
First, cut all of your tomatoes in half and put them in a small bowl.
In a small skillet, add just a dribble of olive oil and your garlic. On medium heat sauté your garlic for a couple of minutes, just until it starts to turn golden brown. Add the garlic to your tomatoes.
Next, add your basil, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and stir it all together. Set this aside or put it in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight to really let the flavors mingle together.
Slice your bread into pieces that are about 1” thick. Butter both sides of the bread and then toast them on medium heat in a large skillet until the just start to turn a little brown.
After your bread is toasted, spread on some goat cheese. The cheese should be at least room temperature but I usually pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds to soften it up a bit more. It’s easier to spread that way.
Next, add your tomatoes and top with a few sprouts.
That’s it. Super easy and this is oh, so good! It always gets rave reviews when I make it for friends. It makes a great appetizer but I often just make it for myself and eat it as a light meal.
Invite a couple of friends over, make it together and then enjoy it together. That would make for a fun evening or Saturday afternoon.
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