[notwonamesalike]

I just harvested a huge bowl full of dandilion greens from our garden beds. Rather than toss them out, I want to try eating them.

Our bitter palette is not very developed. Anyone have any tasty recipes that aren't too bitter?

 

[gardenmom]

I don't have a lot of experience with them, but tried some last week and they were OK. Make sure you're using the small fresh leaves, which could be OK in a salad. If it's too bitter/large/milky or has blossomed already, then I'd skip it.

The recipe I used was basically sauteed slices of bacon with salt pepper and a bit of apple cider vinegar tossed in at the last minute. Then pour it over the greens quickly for a warm salad. I threw my greens into the pan, which I think was a mistake. Better to pour the fat over them so they don't actually cook (I think). If I did it again I'd probably add garlic and skip the vinegar too.

I think a handful of very small leaves would be nice added to a salad, particularly one with a strong dressing like caesar or blue cheese.

 

[FrannieP]

Quote:

The recipe I used was basically sauteed slices of bacon with salt pepper and a bit of apple cider vinegar tossed in at the last minute. Then pour it over the greens quickly for a warm salad. I threw my greens into the pan, which I think was a mistake. Better to pour the fat over them so they don't actually cook (I think). If I did it again I'd probably add garlic and skip the vinegar too.

Yum! That sounds really good.

I've tried these three recipes and they are all really delicious:
http://www.vegetablegoddess.com/Dand...n-Recipes.html

If you par-boil them it decreases the bitterness, but you lose some of the nutrients. I always drink the water, but I love bitter tastes.

If you have a juicer, a yummy juice combo is 1 green apple, a handful of dandelion greens and small pc of fresh ginger. YUM!!! Great for the kidneys and liver.

fp

 

[Jojo F.]

Grrrr

: We moved and I can't find my Wise Woman Herbal but, Susan Weed has a fantastic recipe for dandelion greens.

I'll keep looking...

 

[Jojo F.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrannieP If you par-boil them it decreases the bitterness, but you lose some of the nutrients.

Yup, that was one of the tricks Susan gave to preparing the greens.

 

[gentlecowgirl]

I love dandelions! Ive been cooking the roots and greens a lot lately. Saute roots with onions, leeks, or ramps (wild leeks- My favorite spring food). Turn of heat when done and throw in the greens with a little soy sauce or salt and cover, let sit until wilted and then eat! I also made pad thai the other night and added dandelion green and scallions in at the end they were so good. Soup is another great way to eat them garnish a miso soup with dandelion. I heavily garnish many dishes with "weeds" (lambsqauters, nettle, amaranth...) Also if you chop really fine kids seem to eat them more.

One more... maybe it is wierd but I love this. Chop dandelion (or escarole... or any bitter green) very fine, grind it in a suribachi which is a big japanese mortar and pestol. Add garlic, olive oil, pine nuts or other nuts seeds and unemboshi vinegar or salt and vinegar, until mashed. It is like pesto but I eat it straight like a condiment. I think it is honestly my favorite food it make my blood green and bugs wont come near me........
l

 

[es1967]

I love Dandelion greens salad. You chop the greens in small pieces. Remove all stems. Boil some peeled potatoes that you will dice and put in the salad later. Mix a dressing w apple cider vinegar,olive oil,pumpkin seed oil, chopped garlic and salt and pepper. Add the dressing and the chopped potatoes. Its the pumkin seed oil that has the awesome flavor. I love the taste of dandelion greens and love the dressing w it.

 

[FrannieP]

Oh my gosh! My mouth is WATERING!!! I can't wait to try both these!

:
fp
ps I LOVE Amaranth & Lambsquarter - and wild Sorrel!

 

[GreenSmoothie mama]

I don't eat them cooked but I wanted to point out that if you harvest your own dandelions be sure to do so before they begin to flower, preferably even before the flower stalk grows. Once they begin to flower they become more strong/bitter.

 

[mamadelbosque]

This is my great, great grandmother's recipe for Hot bacon dressing to go ontop of dandelion greens. I haven't made it myself, but I've had it numerous times at my grandparents' house, and its pretty tasty as I recall!!

Fry 2 or 3 strips of bacon in a skillet
Take bacon out when done and set on side/
Add 3/4 tbsp of flour to skillet and make a thickening with the bacon grease.
Cut up some onion to add to skillet
Take 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water
Mix this all in skillet and stir until it comes to a boil.
Add salt and pepper to taste
Break up the bacon strips on the salads.

ETA: We just eat them in mixed salads this time of year, for the most part... but as others have noted you MUST collect them BEFORE they flower or else they're REALLY, REALLY bitter!!

 

[Therese's Mommy]

There is a thread on this over in the veg section. This is what I posted:

I like to make a pasta with feta cheese and greens. You can use any greens you want and I often use a combination of dandelion and swiss chard. Just saute up a bunch of chopped onions and garlic with a little salt and pepper. Once the onions are soft add chopped greens and cook down. Once the greens are cooked add pasta and feta and cook on low for a few minutes to bring it all together. It is incredibly delicious

: I can't have dairy right now and I made this yesterday without the feta and it was still tasty, I just made sure not to skimp on the oil and salt

:

Beth