About 70 enlarged species of dandelions are found everywhere, except for the Arctic latitudes and highlands. If we consider small species, they are whiter than 1000. In our country, more often than in others, a species such as dandelion grows . Its leaves contain up to 5% protein, they are rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A and C, as well as B and E. Different peoples around the world have been eating different parts of this plant for a long time: roots, young leaves and buds that have opened. A coffee-like drink was prepared from the roots, young leaves were used to make salads and soups, and famous dandelion honey was made from flowers. There are health food stores that now sell coffee, tea, pills, and tinctures, all made from dandelions.
Dandelion is traditionally a source of nutrients and a natural remedy for a wide variety of ailments. This plant was used in antiquity to eliminate problems with the liver (choleretic agent) and spleen. Dandelion helps in the fight against excess weight, can act as a laxative or diuretic. But if used for a long period of time, this can lead to electrolytic imbalance. Dandelion honey also has healing properties. The recipe for its preparation can be selected from the descriptions below.
Recipe 1
The weed of these annoying dandelions from a lawn or garden plot can be very useful, as its flowers serve as an excellent raw material from which you can cook honey from dandelions, and then use it with toast, rolls, pancakes, and cookies. Preparation takes 30 minutes, and it takes 4 hours to cook. Ingredients:
- 4 cups of dandelion petals;
- 4 glasses of water;
- 3 thick (slightly thicker than 5 mm) lemon slices;
- ½ vanilla bean, halved;
- 2 cups sugar sugar.
Dandelion flowers are harvested in the daytime when the buds are fully open. Separate the petals and put them in pots with a heavy bottom in which water is poured. Slices of lemon and vanilla are thrown there. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and insist 6 hours. Filter the liquid (to remove petals and particulate matter) through cheesecloth. It is poured again into a pot with a heavy bottom, brought to a boil and the sugar is gradually poured out, while stirring all the time until the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce heat to a minimum and cook to the desired density, this can take up to 4 hours. Dandelion honey is ready!
Recipe 2
When the meadow turns yellow in just one night, this means that it is time to cook honey from dandelions. This recipe will produce excellent thick honey. Ingredients:
- 200 g of yellow petals of dandelion officinalis;
- ¼ cup of water;
- 1 kg of sugar;
- 1 lemon, cut into slices.
Fresh dandelion flowers are washed, slightly dried, poured into a pan with water and boiled for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and insist night. In the morning squeeze through a sieve. The resulting liquid is mixed with sugar, put slices of lemon and cook, stirring, over medium heat in an open pan with a heavy bottom, about an hour. Take out the lemon slices. Honey is poured into prepared glass jars and sealed tightly.
Recipe 3
Dandelions can not be collected along roads or in other polluted areas, but plants that can be collected on your site are quite suitable for making syrup or other dishes, you can also cook honey from dandelions. Ingredients:
- 3 cups of yellow dandelion petals (do not use stems and leaves);
- 3 glasses of water (the amount of water can be reduced if you need to get a thicker product);
- 3 cups sugar;
- vanilla essence (optional).
In a pan with water, spread the dandelion petals, pour water and leave to insist for 6 hours. After that, dissolve the sugar, bring to a boil and cook for an hour over low heat. Remove from heat and leave overnight. Then filter and squeeze the dandelion petals. The taste is regulated by adding sugar and vanilla essence, heated until the ingredients are completely dissolved and poured into prepared jars. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for 15 minutes before meals.