Fluffy Hello From May

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Do you remember with what pleasure you collected dandelions as a child on sunny spring days? May is not far off, when yellow carpets of these lovely flowers will literally envelop everything around. Many people think that dandelions are just ordinary weeds, but they have a lot of nutritional and beneficial properties

With bitterness and vitamins

Dandelion green leaves are high in potassium, calcium, vitamins A and C. Interestingly, they contain much more vitamin A than most vitamin supplements. Dandelion leaves have a slightly bitter taste that almost disappears when cooked correctly. The plant is very easy to digest and stimulates metabolism, which is very important for those people who are trying to lose excess weight.

In folk medicine, dandelion is used to normalize intestinal microflora, regulate blood sugar, purify blood and liver. It is often used as a diuretic and laxative. Dandelion is often found in creams, ointments for acne and warts. Its juice is recommended for the prevention of cancer.

So if you want to improve your health, then feel free to go for dandelions. However, if now is not the season, then you can buy them on the market or buy an infusion of dandelions at the pharmacy. If you live in a large metropolis, then do not pick the plant by the side of the road - they contain a lot of toxins.

And in the salad and in the compote

Dandelion has been successfully used in cooking for many years. The edible part of this plant looks like a reddish ball of leaves. The greenery grows from them, and the dandelion flower is on top. The older this part is, the more pungent it tastes. Dandelions can be dried. In this form, they will be perfectly stored throughout the year. The red part of the plant and its leaves can be eaten raw, or steamed, fried, boiled, or cut into a salad.

For example, here is an interesting and uncomplicated recipe for fried, spicy dandelion leaves:

Take 2kg of dandelion leaves. Remove the bottom of the stems and cut them into large pieces. Steam until the ribs are tender and strain through a sieve. Then rinse them in cold water and squeeze out excess liquid. Heat 2 tbsp. tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and sauté 2 cloves of finely ground garlic over medium heat. Increase heat, add dandelion greens, red pepper and salt. Fry, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. This dish is interesting in taste and does not leave heaviness in the stomach.

But most famous is the healthy dandelion salad. To do this, the dandelion leaves must be thoroughly rinsed, get rid of their hard part and simply cut, or better break it with your hands, filling them with your favorite vegetable oil.

Take the time to make aromatic dandelion tea. For it, you also need to rinse the leaves of the plant well and pour them with boiling water, for about 10-15 minutes. Then the resulting liquid is filtered, and so that the tea is not too bitter, add a little honey and lemon to it. The drink is aromatic, tasty and very healthy.

If you intend to eat dandelion leaves raw, like regular greens, then do not forget to hold them over the steam for a little so that the harshness disappears.

This wonderful spring flower is used to prepare an unusual drink that tastes like coffee. But for this it is necessary to use not the leaves, but the root of the plant. It needs to be dug up, rinsed well in cold water until it is completely clean. Preheat the oven to about 300 degrees. Cut the washed root into small pieces, put them on a baking sheet and fry for 2 hours. Then these pieces can be poured with boiling water, kept for 10 minutes and drunk. It is best to use honey for sweetening.

But before you eat dandelion, you should be aware that if you have an allergic reaction to chamomile, marigold and some other plants, then it may well be that the allergy will flare up to dandelions. If you are using antibiotics, dandelion can make them less effective. Never eat dandelion along with diuretics - overdo it with the effect. Before introducing this plant into your diet on an ongoing basis, it is best to consult with your healthcare professional.