Dandelion salad: its benefits and how to prepare it properly
Right now, when the bright yellow inflorescences of dandelion adorn the young greens, the plant has the most healing properties. No wonder this perennial is called a medicinal dandelion. This was reported by SSPDaily.
What does dandelion treat
This wonderful plant contains many useful substances: inulin, choline, carotene, tocopherol, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and B.
Thanks to this composition, dandelion can:
- fight against spring vitamin deficiency,
- remove toxins from the human body,
- stimulate the secretion of bile,
- destroy gallstones,
- prevent diabetes and obesity,
- stimulate the cardiovascular system,
- purify blood and lower cholesterol.
Removing unnecessary bitterness from dandelion
To prepare a variety of dishes, you can remove excess bitterness from the plant. Although it is thanks to this bitterness that metabolism improves.
There are several ways to get rid of bitterness. First, you can simply separate the green bract. It is in this part that there is the most bitterness. Other parts of the plant can be used for food. You can soak young dandelion leaves in salted water; for this, you need to keep the leaves in it for 20 minutes to half an hour. The main bitterness will disappear and only a light flavor will remain, the same as that of salad leaves.
What can be cooked from dandelion
You can use both the top and the roots of the dandelion for consumption. Young spring dandelion leaves are used to prepare various salads, borscht, and in some countries, they are even pickled and fermented like cabbage.
Dandelion flowers are used to make wine and jam, and dandelion honey is made from the opened buds.
Dandelion roots, fried in oil, are used to make a coffee-like drink that tastes like fried potatoes.
Dandelion salad recipe: The simplest dandelion leaf salad
To make a dandelion salad, wash and dry the young leaves of the plant. It is not necessary to soak them. Finely chop them, add oil and a little lemon juice. You can season the salad with mayonnaise, add salt, mustard, pepper, etc., to taste. Mix well and serve immediately.
Dandelion salad with boiled eggs
To prepare this salad you will need:
- 100-150 g of dandelion leaves,
- two boiled eggs
- bunch of green onions,
- salt to taste,
- sour cream for dressing.
Soak the dandelion leaves for 30-60 minutes in cold salted water or scald them with boiling water. Chop the greens, mix with boiled eggs, salt, and season with sour cream.
Dandelion and radish salad
Ingredients for the salad:
- 150 g of prepared dandelion leaves,
- 2 eggs,
- a bunch of radishes,
- 1-2 tbsp of canned peas,
- sour cream or mayonnaise for dressing.
Preparation:
- Chop the dandelion leaves, cut the radish into thin slices, and chop the boiled eggs.
- Mix everything and season with sour cream or mayonnaise.
