Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) needs no introduction. Several of us have waged a hopeless war against it springing through the cracks in our driveways and spreading in our gardens and lawns. As children, it ethereal seed heads gave us joy as we watched them disintegrate and fly in the wind. We use its roots in a traditional herbal drink. but not many know that actually all parts of this plant are edible. The leaves can be cooked like spinach but they do have a strong and slightly bitter taste so can take time to get used to. Only the younger leaves should be eaten. The root can be roasted to make an alternative to coffee, and all parts of the plant can be used to prepare a tea which has diuretic properties and historically has been used to cure urinary infections..
IMPORTANT NOTE: All wild plants are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). It is illegal to dig up or remove a plant from the land on which it is growing without permission from the landowner or occupier. Even though it is considered to be a weed, do not dig for the roots without owners permission, and only take what you need. Remember that other creatures also depend on the nature's larder.
Here are some tasty dandelion recipes:
Dandelion and eggs
2 cups chopped dandelion greens (remove the stems), 1 finely chopped small-medium leek, 2 eggs, some crumbled feta, pinch of harissa. Blanch and dry the dandelion greens. Sauté the leek for 5 minutes, add the dandelion and cook for a bit then make hollows in the mixture and crack the eggs in. Cook until the whites have set but the yolks are still runny and serve with feta crumbled on top and a pinch of harissa for extra flavour.
Dandelion honey (vegan honey)
Dandelion honey is cruelty free as it is really just a syrup made from flowers and sugar. Wash 4 cups dandelion petals in cold water to get rid of small insects. Add to 4 cups water, then add 3 lemon slices and 1/2 vanilla bean. Bring to boil then simmer together for 30 min. Leave to steep for at least 6 hours, then strain, and add 2 1/2 cups sugar to the liquid. Boil again, then simmer for up to an hour, until it reaches a honey consistency. Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Dandelion tea
Put a handful of freshly collected washed flowers in a mug, cover with hot water and steep for 5-10 minutes.
Bình luận