Dandelion Egg Breakfast with Dandelion Root Coffee

Dandelion Egg Breakfast with Dandelion Root Coffee, exclusively

I am happy to say that the dandelion, the entire plant including its root, is actually an herb.  The Leaf Lady puts it more in perspective and writes about the nutritional value, even on how to make Dandelion Root Coffee.  I don’t let any kind of chemical spray in my yard, not even in my gardens.  I choose the organic approach to naturally detract pests as much as possible, choosing certain flowering plants that guard my vegetable plants from those creepy crawly members of nature that like to chew holes in vibrant green leaves.  Plants help each other out, they defend each other when necessary.  As a result of my pesticide-free way of planting, I have plenty of healthy dandelions to cook with at the right time, early spring.  They are equally suitable harvesting in the fall; they are not bitter as they tend to be midsummer.  With chilly mornings and evenings, they love and thrive on cool temperature.   There are so many ways to enjoyably have dandelions that compliment and accentuate a variety of foods.

 The best time to harvest dandelions for their roots is after a light rain.  Not only is the ground soft, workable, but the dirt is more apt to come off the roots and out of the grooves of each turn and twist.  Soak them in water for a while after you’ve rinsed them.  The root hairs will singe off during oven baking at 150º for several hours.  Make sure the roots have been blotted dry before placing in the oven.

 I finely grind mine in a coffee grinder, then add 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of coffee to be brewed.  It’s a uniquely good flavor.  I will be drinking my coffee this way during the warm months.  Before the weather gets hot in the summer, I will have plenty of dandelion roots already dried and ground for consistent use.

 The dandelion flowers add a nice flavoring as a seasoning, savory or sweet foods.  It’s interesting to be able to cook and bake with unusual elements of nature that is uncommon to incorporate into meals.

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