Note: As a former co-owner of a wholesale sprouting operation, I own several sprout books and even wrote a small book on sprouting for the Mary Knoll Sisters. I did a sprout workshop and they asked me for a book of instructions and recipes, which I provided. I called it The Johnny Alfalfa Handbook.
Doug Evansâ The Sprout Book is my latest addition to my sprout books, and I think it is probably the most comprehensive I have read. He teaches the reader how to sprout in jars, in soil, or on fabric for mucilaginous-forming seeds.
As Doug Evanâs subtitle notes, growing sprouts allows us to âTap into the Power of the Planetâs Most Nutritious Food.â I agree! And after reading his book, I feel even more confident about expanding my sprouting expertise, especially microgreens that are grown in soil or on cloth.
Because this book is so comprehensive, including interviews with doctors write about their use of sprouts as a healthy addition to all meals (and diets). I am listing the contents because it shows the broad coverage of this topic by the author, who is a âlive foodâ enthusiast.
Foreword by Joel Furhrman, MD
Super Sprouts: Back to the Seed
Super Sprouts: A Seismic Shift in Nutrition with the Healthiest Food on the Planet
A Sprout Primer: From Adzuki to Broccoli, Chia, Mung, Mustard, Onion,
Radish, Sunflower, and More
Your Sprout Garden: A Radically Simple Set up to Eat Locally in Any Season on Any Budget
The Recipes: Sprouts as a Side Dish, A Meal, and Supplement All in One Neat Little Package
As you read above, the book is very comprehensive. In addition, there are some pages of resources, a generous bibliography and index. More photos of sprout dishes would be helpful, especially for beginners.
According to the author, and I quote: In fact, there is literally no food on earth more nutritious than spouts.â And we all know that almost every sensible food plan/diet/weight loss program emphasizes eating more greens. And what could be more local and organic than growing on your windowsill your own greens from organic seeds.
Even though I have been sprouting for more than 40 years, I Iearned a great deal about sprouts, grasses, and microgreens and am planning to span my growing space and having these power-packed foods be an ever-increasing part of my daily eating.
Here is a sample of one of Doug Evansâ recipes. (60 pages of recipes )
I chose this smoothie because it sounds perfect for the warm days ahead and (organic) berries are in season. (The author does recommend buying all fruits & green organically, even though he doesnât use organic in the ingredients.) St. Martinâs Press is the publisher.
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Creamy Cacao Smoothie
For those who like their smoothies slightly sweet but still boasting superfood status. Feel free to swap another seasonal berry, such as blackberries or blueberries, for the raspberries.
Serves 1
 ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, preferably Sprouted Almond Milk (page 169)*
¼ cup (about 1 ounce) green pea shoots
½ cup (about ½ ounce) broccoli sprouts or other mild salad sprout
1 dried Madjool date, pitted
½ cup frozen raspberries
½ frozen banana
1 ½ tablespoons raw cacao powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash of almond extract (optional)
Pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Handful of ice cubes
In a high speed blender, combine all the ingredients in the order listed and blend, starting on low speed and working your way up to high, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add a little water or more almond milk if the smoothies is too thick. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Recipe from The Sprout Book by Doug Evans. Copyright © 2020 by the author and reprinted by permission from St. Martinâs Publishing Group. This book is available online and in stores. Great book to learn sprouting & micro-green gardening!