Real Food For Life

1. Find dandelions which should be easy. The best plants are at least two years old because big roots are the best. Autumn is a good time to harvest as they have been storing nutrition in the roots all summer.
2. Dig up dandelion roots using a narrow trowel or you can use a shovel to loosen the roots. If there is not enough in your lawn, go to a country place where weed killers are not used. Best not to go to city parks as they often do use weed killers.
3. Soak the roots in water to loosen the soil.
4. Wash the dandelion roots to remove all of the soil; you can use a vegetable brush.
5. Then rinse them well.
6. Cut the roots off just below the tops. Save the flowers and leaves.

The leaves are nutritious; they can be steamed or small amounts added to a salad. The flowers can be made into dandelion syrup and pancakes.

7. Rinse the roots well outside to get rid of most of the soil.
8. Slice the roots into sections.
9. Chop up the roots coarsely.
10. Spread the chopped roots thinly on cookie sheet.
11. Roast in at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours.*
12. They are ready when the roots are dark brown the colour of coffee beans. Take care not to burn them.
13.  Store roasted roots in an airtight container in a very cool place until you are ready to make dandelion coffee.
14.  Grind them up in a coffee grinder and brew them just like you would with coffee grounds.
15.  2 Tbsp of grounds for 3 cups off beverage.
16.  Add the grounds to simmering water and simmer while covered for 7–15 minutes.
17.  Serve with your choice of milk (almond, rice, soy, cows, goats) and sweetener of your choice.

* Alternatively you can dry roast the dandelion root after it is fully dry and chopped in a frying pan (cast iron pan is best) until it has become dark brown

If you want to be very natural in you dandelion coffee making watch this fellow making Native American coffee: http://youtu.be/8WiuYyk_vXM

More Dandelion Recipes

Dandelion Root Pancakes: No milk or eggs, but lots of health and good taste. 

Dandelion Flower Syrup: You can taste the unique sweetness from the yellow petals. (Read more about the health benefits of the flowers here.)

Dandelion Flower Cordial: The word cordial sounds tasty, and it’s very appropriate in this case!

Dandelion Tea: Made with the leaves — this is perhaps the easiest and fastest way to use a dandelion.

Dandelion Smoothie: After almost passing out from a dandelion smoothie, Randy gives some practical tips to keep your  dandelion smoothie palatable.

About Diana Herrington

I am the head chef at Real Food for Life and author of the GREEN means LEAN and Balance Your Body e-books. I turned a debilitating health crisis into a passion for helping others with healthy, sugar free, gluten free eating and cooking.

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