Soaking nuts & seeds question....

[islesgirl]

Hi rawbies. Every once in a while I see recipes calling for nuts or seeds which don't specify whether they should be soaked first. Should we soak ALL our seeds and nuts? Here's an e.g. - "Eggless Egg Salad" also "Rich Cheddar Sauce"? How will I always know what to do? Read the uncookbook all over again in each case? What do YOU all do? Thanks.:D

Sue.

[RawKnitster]

Hi Sue!

I only soak if the recipe calls for it. I've noticed in most recipe books, including Alissa's and Matt Amsden (eggless egg salad) that some recipes say to soak the nuts and others don't.

If your concerned about using nuts that are not soaked, one option would be to soak the nuts, then dry them in the dehydrator until crispy again.

[spicyfull]

Although soaking is recommended........I juse eat 'em.

[islesgirl]

[QUOTE=RawKnitster;500237]Hi Sue!

I only soak if the recipe calls for it. I've noticed in most recipe books, including Alissa's and Matt Amsden (eggless egg salad) that some recipes say to soak the nuts and others don't.

RawKnitster - thank you very much - that must be the answer - just what you said above.

Sue.

[Colorawdo girl]

Nuts and seeds can be very hard to digest.The"best case scenario" is to soak all nuts and seeds.There are charts in books or online that tell how long.Any amount is better than not soaking.
After soaking they can be used in wet recipes or dried in dehyrator or sun/air dried to crisp up.
Happy uncooking!!!

[islesgirl]

Hi artgirly, looks like I've got more homework to do. I'll find a place where it tells me how long to soak various seeds and nuts. Thanks:)

Sue.

[sport]

What I do is,
I soak all my seeds and most of my nuts in bulk and then re-dry them in the dehydrator and store as normal. Then I do not have to worry when it comes to using them.

[islesgirl]

What I do is,
I soak all my seeds and most of my nuts in bulk and then re-dry them in the dehydrator and store as normal. Then I do not have to worry when it comes to using them.

Hello sport, how are you doing today? I appreciate your input here. How long do you have to dehydrate them - does it vary with different nuts and do you do this with seeds too and the same questions would apply to them also. Thanks for any extra help you can give me.:)

Sue.

[ruffsongraw]

probably a silly and newbie Q, but what point is there to soaking them and then dehydrating them? seems like the result of soaking would "go away" in the dehydrator... ????
jen

[sport]

probably a silly and newbie Q, but what point is there to soaking them and then dehydrating them? seems like the result of soaking would "go away" in the dehydrator... ????
jen

Seeds are meant to lie dormant in dry conditions and wait for moisture before they come to life.
Soaking starts the enzymes going and awakens the seed. This increases the nutrients.
There is also the problem of the digestive inhibitors that they contain. These are designed to protect it while in transit through the digestive system. Some plants rely on birds and animals to spread their seed so they are swallowed whole as part of the fruit and they come out intact in the waste. This is because the inhibitors protect them. The soaking releases these and enable you to digest them better. For this reason the soak water must be discarded and they must be rinsed.
The only reason to dry them again is to preserve them. You could freeze them instead (and I sometimes do).

[sport]

Hello sport, how are you doing today? I appreciate your input here. How long do you have to dehydrate them - does it vary with different nuts and do you do this with seeds too and the same questions would apply to them also. Thanks for any extra help you can give me.:)

Sue.

I leave seeds in overnight at a low heat. This is about 37 to 39 centigrade. I do it a lot as I supply soaked seeds to 2 of my sisters and my best friend. I give them sunflower, pumpkin and sesame and do a kilo of each at the time. My dehydrator (9 tray) will do 2 K per night.

I prefer to freeze the nuts but sometimes dry almonds.
You will know when they are ready. You will be able to feel it. I have never had a problem with dried stuff going off.

[islesgirl]

sport, thanks for giving me so much help. After my cleanse, I'd better get busy doing something with the tons of nuts I have in my fridge eh?

Sue.:)