Who doesn't know the dandelion? Whether its characteristic leaves, its butter-yellow flowers or its fluffy seed heads. This wild plant is so distinctive that it can be easily recognized. You can make some amazing things with a dandelion flower. Keep reading you will get to know some amazing things!
Now let's take a close look at the flowers!
What do the flowers look like in detail?
From April onwards, long, hollow stems filled with milky sap emerge from the leaf axils of the dandelion. The capitulum flowers develop above them. They are composed of up to 40 protruding bracts and numerous ray florets.
The flowers open in sunlight and close at night, drought and rain. They are present for several days until they transform and become the well-known 'dandelions'. Often there is a weaker after-flowering in late summer, which can last until September or even October.
Now, here are a few amazing things that you can make from dandelion:
Dandelion Flower "Honey"
A very special and unique "honey" that you can prepare in your kitchen without the help of the bees!
The color and thickness will resemble the real honey and the taste is very similar but unique, aromatic!… To be tried!
INGREDIENTS
(Makes: 3 - 4 glasses of 200 - 300 ml each)
- 200 piece dandelion flowers (approx. 200 g)
- 1lemon
- 1250 ml of water
- 1 kg of sugar
- 4th Glasses
Wash the dandelion flowers thoroughly. Pat them dry and then hold flowers by the tip with the fingers of one hand and pinch the green base very hard with the other, releasing the yellow florets from their attachment (now you can weigh the required quantity).
Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and let it simmer at medium heat for about 45 minutes. Let it cool, filter the liquid and then return it to the saucepan and cook for another 15 minutes or until it gets the right thickness. Mind that once cooled it will thicken even more.
Pour the hot liquid into a hot sterilized jar, screw the lid tightly and turn the jar upside down. Leave it too cool. Store in a cool, dry place and then, once opened, in the fridge.
It's great to use as classic honey, or on toasts, pancakes.
Dandelion Flower Cookies
Apart from the time it takes to prepare the flowers, these cookies are so easy and quick to make ... and they're delicious as well as very fragrant and tender !!! and if you've already made the honey up here ... you can substitute the normal honey with it!
For about 30 cookies:
- 200 gr all-purpose flour
- 100 gr oatmeal
- 120 ml sunflower seed oil
- 150 ml honey
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
- about 20 dandelion flowers
Wash the dandelion flowers thoroughly. Pat them dry and then hold flowers by the tip with the fingers of one hand and pinch the green base very hard with the other, releasing the yellow florets from their attachment.
In a bowl mix flour and oatmeal and keep them on the side. In another bowl whisk together the eggs with honey, oil and vanilla extract. Add the florets and then the mixture of flour and oatmeal. Mix well until you get a quite thick batter that you can spoon on a baking sheet. Keep each drop separated as they will spread while baking. Cook them for about 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 190 °.
Dandelion Flowers Mini Cakes
As a last idea, these cute mini cakes are soft and perfect for a very original spring breakfast!
For 5-6 mini-cakes:
- 180 gr all-purpose flour
- 120 gr of yellow corn flour ( polenta one, finely ground )
- 1 sachet of baking powder (about 1 tbsp)
- 4 heap spoons of honey ( even better if you have the dandelion one )
- 2 eggs
- 120 ml of milk
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
- dandelion flowers
Wash the dandelion flowers thoroughly. Pat them dry and then hold flowers by the tip with the fingers of one hand and pinch the green base very hard with the other, releasing the yellow florets from their attachment.
In a bowl beat together the eggs with sugar until white and fluffy, add honey, oil, keeping beating and then flour and milk in turns, whisking well at every addition. Add carefully the dandelion florets, mix well and then spoon the batter into mini cake loaf pans. Cook them in a preheated oven at 190 ° for about 30 minutes. Once cooled dust with confectioners sugar.