Showing posts with label dandelion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dandelion. Show all posts

Friday, May 15, 2015

Sauteed Dandelion Greens

In honor of celebrating the dandelion this week, we are sharing a delicious dandelion greens recipe today!  Dandelion leaves have a bitter flavor that is great for digestion and is full of antioxidants.  The bitter flavor of dandelions increases saliva production which is an important part of breaking down food.  Even adding just a few chopped up dandelion greens to your daily salad will help assimilate your body to their bitterness and will help aid in digestion.  And if you have a whole lot of dandelion greens in your yard, try out this delicious sauteed dandelion greens recipe!


Ingredients:
  • Large bunch dandelion greens, rinsed of dirt and rough chopped with stems
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Splash of hot pepper vinegar sauce (apple cider vinegar can be used instead)
Directions
  • Heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering in a sauce pan. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently just until the garlic starts to brown.
  • Add the chopped dandelion greens in and toss well to coat. Pour in the vegetable broth and simmer, stirring occasionally over medium heat until the broth is almost completely absorbed.
  • Toss in pine nuts, lemon juice, then add the vinegar and mix to incorporate. Serve hot or warm as a side dish — or make it a meal by serving with a couple of fried eggs.

Monday, May 11, 2015

What to do with Dandelions

With Spring in full bloom, dandelions are popping up in abundance.  While lots of people view dandelions as pesky weeds that clutter the lawn, there are actually lots of ways you can use them!  If you have little girls, making a dandelion crown is a great way to spend some time outdoors.  And if you have extra dandelions when you are all done, here are some other great ways to use these beautiful yellow flowers.

We can't wait to try out these dandelion lotion bars!  What a wonderful scent and flavor for the summer, and a great way to make sure your hands stay moist after working in the garden. 


This dandelion greens salad looks like a wonderful way to use the greens of the dandelion, not just the flowers.


How about some dandelion bread to go with that dandelion green salad?    This fluffy loaf incorporates the separated dandelion flowers and we can only imagine how delicious it will taste with some homemade berry preserves!


Dandelion tea is simple and is great served hot or over ice.  Get your kids involved and have them help pick the dandelions and then make the tea together!


 Do you have any favorite uses for dandelion?  We can't wait to test all of these out while the dandelions are in full bloom :)