Here's sort of a funny story. When we were still living in Central PA, my husband was standing in line at the local Wegman's to checkout. The woman just ahead of him noticed that he had also picked up a bunch of dandelion leaves. She said, "I feed my pet rabbit dandelion. What do you do with yours?" He smiled and replied, "My wife cooks it." She was quite surprised with that answer!
Spring is the season for dandelions. I think everyone is familiar with the invasive dandelion that grows in people's yards. Normally people can't stand them so they pull out the weed killer. But dandelion leaves and roots are medicinal and are among the healthiest herbs to eat. So when you start seeing dandelions popping up in early spring it's Mother Nature's way of saying that it's time to add it to our diet.
Dandelion is a wonderful food to eat for everyone because it supports all of your organ systems. Anyone who has heart conditions, liver issues, as well as digestive, kidney, or lung problems will benefit from adding dandelion to their diet. I highly recommend it to all of my health coaching clients.
In the old days, dandelion was known as a cure all for so many diseases because of its bitter flavor. Even today in Greece, dandelion is cooked with olive oil and a bit of lemon. Consider adding dandelion to your diet. Now is the time to eat this healthy and nourishing herb!
This sardines and dandelion recipe is a synch to put together and it always tastes delicious. The sweetness from the onions with the bitterness from the dandelion, though polar opposites, is like a match made in heaven. When you add the meaty sardines with the olive oil and garlic, this meal really comes together and becomes a complete meal. If you don't like to eat it with rice, have it with some nice organic bread.
Another important point to make is that this is serious brain food! For those who feel like you have brain fog or are getting more forgetful, oily and fatty fish is your answer. So this dish is for you.
Please note that I only use Wild Planet sardines in extra virgin olive oil. Wild Planet has the very best sardines. It's meaty and it's sustainably caught. Quality makes all the difference.
Take it from a four year old little boy. My son loves this! Make this for your youngsters, children in school, loved ones, and yourself. If you've never had sardines or dandelion before, now is the time. Like I've said this food is so good for the brain as well as all organ systems in the body.
Just like the bunny rabbit that eats dandelion, soon enough you'll have the same type of energy. Enjoy!
Sardines and Dandelion
Ingredients
Half a bunch of dandelion leaves chopped into small pieces (I get mine from Wegman's)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 onion roughly chopped
2 cans Wild Planet sardines in extra virgin olive oil (Wild Planet brand is the best sardines; if you're still getting Ligo sardines you are missing out!)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of Himalayan pink sea salt
Directions
Heat the oil in a cast iron pan. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the onions, a pinch of sea salt, and sauté until translucent. Add in the oil from the cans of sardines. I like to gently place the sardines in one corner of the pan to avoid mashing them up. Next, add the dandelion and sauté until the leaves are wilted. Serve with hot white organic rice or organic bread. Enjoy!
