Easy Dandelion Recipes

DANDELIONS are one of my favourite herbs. I use the flowers, leaves and the roots as medicine,and enjoy this delightful highly nutritious "weed". I've been dismayed for many years at the millions of $$$ spent each year to eradicate these  cheerful sunny flowers from our yards -- when all we really need to do? EAT THEM! These easy dandelion recipes will make you a believer (i hope!)

Studies rank dandelion greens as one of the top 41 most nutritious foods. Coming in at number 16, this wild growing “weed” topped popular healthy like broccoli AND kale!!

Dandelion Medicine information has been widely written about. My favourite book about dandelion, entitled  Dandelion Medicine by Brigitte Mars is an excellent source. There is even a dandelion festival (actually several!) Check out this post for more about the medicinal attributes of Dandelion.

From Brigitte Mars:

All parts of the dandelion are used medicinally.

• Dandelion roots are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, cholagogue, choleretic, hepatic, hypnotic, purgative, and sedative.
• Dandelion leaves are antacid, antioxidant, febrifuge, hypotensive, restorative, and vulnerary.
• Dandelion leaves and root are alterative, anodyne, antirheumatic root, aperient, astringent, bitter, decongestant, depurative, digestive, diuretic, galactagogue, immune stimulant, laxative, lithotriptic, nutritive, stomachic, and can be used as a tonic.
• Dandelion flowers are anodyne, cardiotonic, emollient, hepatic, and vulnerary.

Check out my glossary here for reference.

Health Benefits:

• Dandelion root is used to treat abscess, acne, age spots, alcoholism, allergies, arthritis, boils, chicken pox, cirrhosis, constipation, depression, dizziness, dyspepsia, eczema, headache, heartburn, gallstones, gout, hemorrhoids, hay fever, hepatitis, herpes, hypoglycemia, jaundice, measles, morning sickness, mumps, osteoarthritis, ovarian cysts, premenstrual syndrome, psoriasis, tuberculosis, tumors, varicose veins, and venereal warts.
• Dandelion leaves are used to improve amenorrhea, anemia, appetite loss, bedwetting, debility, dropsy, edema, insomnia, muscular rheumatism, nervousness, scrofula, scurvy, stomachache, and urinary tract infections.
• The leaves and the root are used to treat anorexia, appetite loss, Arthritis, breast cancer, breast tenderness, cysts, bronchitis, tonsillitis, cancer prevention, candida, cellulite, high cholesterol, colitis, congestive heart failure, computer stress, diabetes, dyspepsia, endometriosis, fatigue, flatulence, gallstones, hangover, hypertension, hypochondria, kidney stones, mastitis mononucleosis, obesity, poison oak and ivy, prostatitis, rashes, rheumatism, sinusitis, spleen enlargement, ulcers, and uterine fibroids.
• The flowers are used to treat a backache, depression, headache, menstrual cramps, and night blindness.
• Dandelion is a blood purifier which aids in the process of filtering and straining wastes from the bloodstream. It is useful in treating obstructions in the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and spleen. The leaves aid in the elimination of uric acid. Use the root primarily for problems related to the liver, spleen, stomach and kidneys, and the leaf for liver, kidney, and bladder concerns.
• Dandelion is used to help clear the body of old emotions such as anger and fear that can be stored in the body’s liver and kidneys. It is an excellent herb for weight loss as the leaves are diuretic and the root improves fat metabolism.
• Consuming dandelion in the spring helps to counter the ill effects of a winter of eating only cooked, heavy foods. Drink dandelion leaf and root tea whenever embarking on a cleanse or fast.
• In the fall a bit of juniper juice is also used when treating arthritic conditions.
• As the dandelion leaf is a galactagogue, it increases the nursing mother’s milk supply and bolsters its nutritional quality – also a boon for the infant!
• The leaves and root of dandelion can make an excellent food or tea, rich in minerals for growing children.
• Because dandelion leaves and roots help to cleanse the liver, kidneys are therefore the blood; they are excellent for teenagers concerned about acne.

Enjoy them often with these EASY Dandelion Recipes!

 Dandelion Sauté

This is my all time favourite way to enjoy these highly nutritious + delicious greens! When time permits, I gather these myself but I realize most of you will prefer to purchase fresh dandelion greens from your local supermarket. That's great. Whatever way you can get Dandelion into your kitchen -- is fine with me!

5 from 1 vote

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Dandelion Greens Sauté

Yummy -- mildly bitter -- so good for you and EASY to make!

Course Side Dish

Keyword #dandelions, #easy, #herbalmedicine

Ingredients

• 1-2 medium onions sliced finely or chopped (your preference)
• 1-2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 2 tablespoon olive or avocado or coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil toasted if possible
• 2 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1 large bunch of fresh dandelion leaves

Instructions

1. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil (or avocado/coconut oil)
2. Trim the leaves and prepare the greens by rinsing in a colander

3. Add the dandelion greens to the pan of onions & garlic.

4. Turn to coat the greens, cooking gently on 'simmer'

5. Toss wilted greens with toasted sesame oil.

6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds
7. Serve.

Recipe Notes

Nuts and/or seeds can be added for crunch.
YOU and YOUR Imagination can create many nutritious dishes from this simple recipe.
I often add more sesame seeds or slivered almonds, and sometimes a dash of Tamari.

Dandelion Quiche

This easy Quiche recipe works well with or without a crust. I usually make it without as a lighter version, but it's delicious either way. SO good.

5 from 1 vote

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Delicious Dandelion Quiche Recipe template

Ingredients

• 31/2 cups dandelion greens
• ½ lb mushrooms
• 9 eggs
• ½ cup grated Romano cheese
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1-2 cloves Garlic minced
• 2 tablespoon Parsley fresh, minced*
• Sea Salt + Black Pepper to your taste
• 'dash' Hot Pepper Flakes
• Pie shell optional -- follow package directions or pre-bake

Instructions

1. If you are making 'with crust', partially bake the pie shell at 450 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Remove from the oven and set aside. Reduce oven to 325 degrees.
3. otherwise, for a crustless version; preheat the oven to 325 degrees
4. Cook 3.5-4 cups of dandelion greens in salted boiling water until wilted but not completely cooked.
5. Drain using a colander (I wait a few minutes and then squeeze out excess moisture by hand)
6. Chop the dandelion greens into bite-sized pieces.
7. Saute the minced garlic in the olive oil and add the mushrooms.(this is where I add the green onions if using)
8. After about 5 minutes, add the greens. (this is where I add the extras like red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes)
9. This mixture is 'ready' when all the liquid has cooked off.
10. Beat 9 eggs in a bowl. Season with S+P and that dash of Hot Pepper flakes (or your favourite seasoning)
11. Add the cheese. Stir.
12. Put the greens mixture into the pie shell or directly into a pie or quiche pan.
13. Pour the eggs mix over the greens.
14. Bake at 325 degrees for about 35 minutes (or until the eggs are 'set')

Recipe Notes

This recipe calls for parsley but use what you have on hand.
Yesterday, I made this recipe with green onions,(scallions), added ¼ cup of arugula and ¼ cup of diced red peppers too.
It's a quiche ~
Fun to experiment. It tastes great the next day too, at room temperature.
This version IS crust-less.

 2 Pins for you --

Dandelion Recipes ~ These TWO  should get you started!

If you are already a fan ~~ I'd love to hear what you make.
I will add more recipes in the next months.
I have many! green blessings,   

xo Carol