Sprouts on a Local Lamb Burger
The sprouts are ready. It took 6 days, so the outer limit of the general 3-6 day growing period. I attribute this to the cold windowsill that they were next to. Still, day by day, the sprouts unfurled, until yesterday they had filled the jar completely. So pretty, against the backdrop of snow!
6-Day Broccoli Sprouts
Like popcorn, where you sometimes have unpopped kernels at the bottom of the pot, there were some seeds that did not sprout, perhaps because they were a bit crowded. The next time, I will use the larger ½-gallon size mason jar (as the instructions actually recommend).
The sprouts taste nutty, crunchy, and clean. As my husband pointed out, they are utterly without that chlorine taste that often accompanies sprouts.
They also have a little bit of a peppery bite, but not as much as you would find with radish sprouts. All in all, I’m very pleased with the sprouts.
We inaugurated them today for lunch with leftover lamb patties flavored with Middle Eastern spices (“kofta”) and homemade hummus. As my husband said, “This is seriously the best lunch.”
Lamb Burgers
1 pound ground lamb (such as Winding Brook Farm, from Morrisville)
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. coriander
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ small yellow onion, minced
2 Tbs. fresh mint, minced
1/3 cup uncooked couscous
Freshly ground pepper
¼ cup golden raisins (opt.)
Olive oil for frying
Lightly toasted pitas or buns (I used whole wheat “Mediterranean bread” made by A Taste of Europe)
Hummus or tahini spread
Grated carrots
Grated beets
Homegrown sprouts
Mix all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl (you may have to use your hands to thoroughly blend the mixture). Shape into ovals (about ten 2-inch ovals).
Heat a large skillet with enough olive to generously coat the bottom of the pan. Place patties in the pan (they will be soft; that’s ok) and fry on each side until cooked through to the center, about 10 minutes on each side.
Remove to a serving plate.
Serve with lightly toasted pitas or buns, hummus, grated vegetables, and homemade sprouts.