Soaking Nuts. And a new pastime.
Please note: I began this post yesterday morning. While taking a break from the strenuous exercise of typing, I was startled by a frightening shriek from my husband. As it turns out, during my typing break, our computer was high jacked by a computer virus. Trust me, you do not want to hear the words I wish I could say to the stupid, idiot, mean, jerk-faced, cowards who create computer viruses. Not only did Stuart loose an entire folder of his school work (due today, of course), but I also lost every single picture I have. Every. Single. One.
I'm going to give myself a few days to try and get them back off the hard-drive somehow before I have a mental breakdown thinking about all the photos on there that I lost. Like my baby when she was little.
There goes a single tear.
But I'm not going to freak out yet. No, not yet.
There goes another single tear.
I need those pictures! We were going to make lentil soup this week! And sesame ginger grilled beef! Not to mention talk about G-baby!
*Sniff, sniff*
Tear.
Okay.
Thank you for listening to me cry about my lost photos. Now, back to the actual topic for today.
I know you've heard Nourishing Traditions junkies talk about soaking their grains and nuts before. But now that I am a bonafide Nourishing Traditions junky, I took it upon myself to share it with you. Again. Even if you have heard it. Humor me. I need it today.
Soaking Nuts
I'm going to primarily focus on soaking nuts. Why? Because I have some raw almonds that I need to soak. Hence, the topic of conversation.
Because I have concentration issues, I am going to pinpoint the benefits of soaking your nuts (as opposed to using complete sentences). I think that just makes it easier for everyone. Sometimes too many words are hard to read.
Benefits of Soaking:
- Neutralizes enzyme inhibitors (which make it hard for us to digest them).
- Encourages beneficial enzyme production
- Increases vitamins (especially B vitamins)
- Reduces phytic acids
- Reduces tannins
- Makes protein more readily available for absorption
As I've said before, I like to think of soaking as a "free lunch." You're going to eat the nuts either way - so, why not get the most nutrients that you can out of them! It's a win-win. Win-win-win. Win-win-win-win.
And as for the method? It's simple.
Place the nuts in a bowl, at most filling it 3/4 full (the nuts will expand). Then, fill the bowl up with water and a couple generous pinches of salt. Soak the nuts in this salty-water-brine overnight. The next morning, pour the water off and place the nuts on a baking pan in your oven (at no higher than 150 degrees!) until they are crunchy and completely dry - this will take a few good hours. Alternatively, you can place the nuts in your dehydrator until they are crunchy and completely dry.
Shazzam. Soaked nuts.
Not too hard, huh?
Let me tell ya, soaking nuts is much easier than trying to remove a computer virus. Especially one that is like an octopus, attaching it's nasty sticky tentacles all over your hard-drive.
Yes, I realize I should have backed the photos up.
Yes, I realize that I should not have been cheap about buying protective software.
But, as you can see, I was far too busy soaking nuts to be concerned with details such as this. However, given the recent events on the homestead, I believe my new pass-time will be hunting down computer-hackers so that I can slowly and painfully torture them.
Good day.
For other great meal ideas, no matter what your dietary restrictions, check out the meal planning service I use: Real Plans.