Dandelion is much more than just an annoying weed growing in the yard. According to webmd.com, it has been cultivated for its culinary and medicinal benefits for centuries. From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile. They also help your liver filter potentially harmful chemicals out of your food. Dandelion is also a good source of Vitamin C, one of the most helpful vitamins for the immune system. They are also noted for their ability to stabilize blood sugar, making them an excellent supplement for diabetics. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dandelion (pu gong ying in Chinese) has been used to treat stomach problems, heartburn, skin disorders, and high cholesterol.
Dandelion greens have a slightly bitter, arugula-like taste. The earlier you pick them, the less bitter they will be. Harvest tender young leaves for best flavour. The sunny blossoms of dandelion can be used to garnish salad or to make fritters (dipped in tempura batter and fried until crisp). The root can be used to make tea, which will effectively treat digestive issues and fight inflammation.
They can be found in deep woods, gardens, lawns or roadsides. Avoid high traffic areas when harvesting dandelion plants and any dandelions that have been sprayed with fertilizer or any other toxic sprays. To keep your dandelion harvest fresh, store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or in a lightly dampened towel.
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- Thoroughly wash the dandelion leaves. Use a salad spinner to dry them and cut in half crossways if necessary. If you don't have a salad spinner, then use clean dish towel or paper towels to thouroughly dry them. Set aside for an hour to air dry them. You don't want to use wet greens for the salads as they will dilute the flavour of your dressing.
- Cut the stems off the strawberries. Rinse and dry them, then slice the strawberries into half or quarters if they are too large.
- Put the pine nuts in a dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly browned, about 3 minutes.
- For the vinaigrette, mix together the olive oil, broth, vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper until combined.
- Toss danelion leaves and strawberries with the dressing in a salad bowl. Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over and serve.