Dandelions, the Super Food

Dandelions!!!

It seems that many will do whatever it takes to rid their yard of those little yellow flowering weeds. For a matter-of-fact, we were once in that same camp. Then we moved over to the “I don’t care” camp and just mowed right over them when we cut the grass.  I have now moved into a new dandelion camp.

For years, I’ve heard of people making dandelion wine, but since I don’t drink wine,  I had no desire to give it a try. I had also heard of using dandelion greens in cooking, but again, I never had a desire to give them a try. Recently, I came across an article touting the benefits of dandelions and I was amazed!!!  This little weed that many try to kill has awesome health and healing benefits.  For example, it can prevent or cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis or jaundice. It will act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify blood, cleanse the system, dissolve kidney stones, and improve gastrointestinal health. Having trouble with your weight? Eat dandelions for weight reduction. Dandelions can also be used to cleanse your skin and eliminate acne. Constipation or diarrhea? Dandelions can help both problems by improving bowel function. This little yellow flowering weed can improve blood pressure, prevent or cure anemia and has the ability to lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half. Eat some dandelion to reduce acid indigestion and/or the buildup of gas. This super weed can even prevent or cure various forms of cancer, diabetes and has no negative side effects.

All these years I’ve tried to kill dandelions when in fact, I should have been protecting them, picking them, and feeding them to my family.

With my new-found knowledge, the girls and I headed outside to pick dandelions.  We picked only the flowers to make Dandelion Blossom Bread.

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2 c flour

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1 c dandelion blossoms, all green sepals and leaves removed

1/4 c oil

4 T honey

1 egg

1 1/2 c milk

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl, including petals making sure to separate clumps of petals. In separate bowl mix together milk, honey, oil beaten egg. Add liquid to dry mix. Batter should be fairly wet and lumpy. Pour into buttered bread tin or muffin tin. Bake 400F. For muffins 20-25 min, bread for bread up to twice as long. Test for doneness

I did add a little glaze to the bread, for some added sweetness, but it really didn’t need the glaze.  The bread tastes of honey and my 4-yr-old loves it.  My 6-yr-old ate several bites, then decided she was done.  She isn’t a big fan of honey though and her little sister was more than happy to finish her piece 🙂  Hubby chose not to partake.  Next time I think I’ll cut back on the honey a bit, but overall, I thought it was a delightful bread.

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Without a doubt, I will be including dandelions as part of our diet.  With all the wonderful health benefits, how can I not.

20 comments

    • That was pretty much my response when I started reading information on dandelions. Yet, I found several different websites that tout the health benefits of dandelions.

  1. Hi Deb, have been lurking for awhile after finding you on Celi’s Farmy 🙂 I have also read on several occasions that the bees (that make the honey) love them too 🙂 Laura

  2. I am anxious to try your recipe! I have heard great things about dandelions and the health benefits. Now just waiting for dandelions to pop up in my year! THANKS!!!

      • I made your bread recipe for the first time….it was good. I made it a second time and cut back a bit on the oil and added 2 bananas, this was a hit with everyone. Thank you!!

  3. HI I made the bread this weekend- It was really bland, so I made a honey glaze on it and it is pretty good- My 2 girls ate it..then I told them what was in it.. they were really surprised Thanks for the recipe!! 🙂 .

  4. I have eaten lots of dandelion greens my life time. Every spring we would go into the woods and pick a big mess of mixed wild greens including young dandelion. My mother in law use to make a salad with dandelion leaves, sliced onion, garlic, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper. I never cared for the salad. The raw leaves are bitter and taste like endives.

  5. We love dandelion greens, steamed or cooked in boiling water. We also like to dip the blossoms in just beaten egg and fry them in a bit of butter. I can’t wait to try the bread. Thank you for recipes!

  6. I made dandelion jelly last Spring! Too sweet for me but next yr will try it again with low sugar pectin and only a cup of sugar!

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