As we have seen in the article “The Dandelion or Flower of the Fairies” this spontaneous herb was already used in the Middle Ages to treat liver disorders , probably due to the sunny yellow color of its flowers which, according to the Signature Doctrine , recalled the color of bile. Starting from the 16th century. in Europe, many pharmacists recognized Dandelion as having the ability to heal wounds , as was already the case in China centuries earlier.
But let’s see how the dandelion plant and flowers are used in the kitchen : I propose below some recipes as always very tasty and above all very easy in execution.
DANDELION MEATBALLS
Let’s start with vegetarian meatballs where dandelion , already boiled, is the main ingredient. Light and tasty, they can be presented as an aperitif snack or as a vegetarian main course or as a side dish .
INGREDIENTS
150g cooked dandelion
100g grated parmesan
2 small eggs
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (approximately) breadcrumbs (or bread soaked in milk if you prefer)
salt
PREPARATION
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees .
Finely chop the dandelion .
In a bowl combine the dandelions, Parmesan, eggs, oil, a pinch of salt and mix.
Add the breadcrumbs a little at a time until you get a workable mixture .
On a baking sheet lay a sheet of baking paper.
Shape into meatballs with your hands and place them on baking paper .
Drizzle the balls with extra virgin olive oil and bake for 15 minutes .
MACERATO WITH CITRUS AND DANDELION
A preparation based on dandelion flowers, rich in vitamin C and useful for detoxifying the liver. It would of course be advisable to collect the fresh flowers of the seedlings grown in the countryside, away from city pollution.
The ingredients to prepare the Macerato are:
Sugar , Orange Juice , Lemon Juice , Fresh Lime Juice , Citrus Peel and Fresh Dandelion Flowers .
Its maceration can continue for up to three weeks .
PREPARATION
Dissolve 150 gr. of sugar in the juice of 1 Orange, 1 Lemon and 1 Lime and part of the citrus peel .
Boil for 15 min. 300 gr. of fresh dandelion flowers in 500 ml. of water
Allow to cool completely , then add the Dandelion preparation to the Citrus and Sugar syrup , mix very well and leave to macerate in the dark for at least 3 weeks .
DANDELION SALAD
A very fresh and tasty salad is proposed to us by Iwona of Epices_et_délices_ , perfect for a spring meal.
Ingredients:
Dandelion in leaves
Reed mushrooms
Crunchy lard
Poached egg (poached)
OMELETTE WITH DANDELION FLOWERS
A very delicate omelette (recipe by Raffaella de Ilborgo_dellemeraviglie ), with a spring flavor, which will delight even the most demanding palates.
It is necessary to collect the open flowers of seedlings grown in the flowery meadows of the countryside , away from city pollution.
PREPARATION
Soak the collected flowers in cold water for about an hour . Put them in a pan with a little extra virgin olive oil.
Prepare the base for the omelette as usual with :
Eggs, grated Parmesan, salt and a dash of milk (optional)
Add the dandelion flowers to the beaten egg mixture and pour into a pan greased with boiling oil, leaving it to cook as usual.
DANDELION RAVIOLI
Another tasty recipe given to us by dear Raffaella from Ilborgo_dellemeraviglie for a vegetarian preparation with pleasantly bitter nuances.
Collect the leaves of dandelion plants grown far from the city smog and wash them well.
Boil them in plenty of water, drain and squeeze them well .
Chop and mix with 1 egg, grated Parmesan , Ricotta (or soft goat cheese) and a little salt .
Your filling is ready to be spread on the egg pastry.
Excellent to be served with a light walnut sauce or simply with extra virgin olive oil and parmesan .
“HONEY” WITH DANDELION
Dandelion “Honey” is actually a preparation based on water, sugar, lemons and dandelion flowers , of excellent use for vegans as it does not contain any product of animal origin. It is wonderful as a disinfectant for the throat and as a liver cleanser, even if the quantities of sugar compared to those of Dandelion limit its effectiveness a little.
INGREDIENTS :
4 cups of Dandelion Flowers
3 cups of water
3 Lemons
2 cups of sugar (preferably cane)
P REPARATION:
Wash the Dandelion Flowers and soak them in cold water in a medium saucepan for about an hour.
Put the pot on the stove by simmering the flowers for 30 minutes .
Let the infusion cool overnight and squeeze the flowers into a thin gauze the next day, letting out all the juice.
Put the infusion back on the stove over very low heat, adding the sugar and lemon juice .
Simmer slowly until the desired consistency is obtained .
