Sprouted nuts are often thought of as easier to digest than non-sprouted nuts. They are also higher in certain nutrients and lower in various compounds that may be less than healthy. You can buy and enjoy sprouted walnuts as a simple snack, eating a handful at a time. However, there are also some more creative ways you can use them, such as the following.
Make Salad Dressing
Sprouted walnuts are much softer than ordinary walnuts. If you blend them all up with some liquid, they get nice and creamy, which makes them a good base for a salad dressing. You will need a good blender or food processor for this recipe, however. If your blades are dull, then you may end up with walnut bits instead of a pureed blend.
To make a delicious, basic walnut salad dressing, combine the following in your blender or food processor:
- 1/2 cup sprouted walnuts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of garlic powder
- a pinch of black pepper
Blend until smooth and creamy. Serve over a salad of your choice, and enjoy.
Make Trail Mix
Instead of eating just sprouted walnuts, you could combine them with other snack-type foods and make your own trail mix. You can really include whatever other ingredients you want, but the mix tends to be most satisfying when you add one salty and one sweet component.
A good mix would be one cup each of sprouted walnuts, M&Ms, and pretzels. Or, you could mix together equal parts of sprouted walnuts, dried cranberries, and salted caramel candies. This is a delicious, versatile snack to bring with you on hikes or for afternoon treats.
Make Smoothies
If you like a creamy smoothie, adding a small handful of sprouted walnuts is a good way to get your desired results. You can add them to basically any smoothie, but here's a good starter recipe if you need one.
Combine these ingredients in a blender:
- 1/2 a banana
- 1/2 cup frozen berries
- 1/2 cup frozen baby spinach
- 1 cup juice
- a small handful of sprouted walnuts
Blend together until smooth, and enjoy.
If you use sprouted walnuts in the ways above, you'll find them delicious and versatile. These nuts really are a good ingredient to keep on hand in your cupboard since you never quite know when you'll want them or need them.
