Fried Dandelions Appalachian Style Food

FRIED DANDELIONS (APPALACHIAN STYLE)

Steps:

• Combine the flour, seasoned salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until evenly combined; set aside. Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl, then stir in the dandelion blossoms until completely coated.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove half of the dandelions from the egg, and allow the excess egg to drip away. Toss in the flour until completely coated, then remove from the flour, tossing between your hands to allow excess flour to fall away. Cook the dandelions in the melted butter until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining dandelions.

DEEP-FRIED DANDELIONS

Steps:

• Wash dandelions under cool running water and dry on paper towels. Remove the green tendrils behind each flower.
• Mix flour, curry powder, and salt together in a bowl or measuring cup. Beat egg in a bowl; stir in flour mixture until smooth. Add beer to mixture until batter is similar to runny pancake batter. Add more beer if batter is too thick.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). If you don't have a thermometer, heat the oil until it begins to shimmer.
• Dip dandelion flowers in the batter and gently drop in the hot oil, working in batches. Fry flowers until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer cooked flowers to crumpled paper towels or on a wire rack; serve warm.

DEEP FRIED DANDELION BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• 1. Find dandelions that have not been sprayed with herbicide or other poisons.
• 2. Gather the blossoms shortly before cooking them. Dandelion blossoms are at the peak of freshness soon after you pick them.
• 3. Rinse in cold water & drain.
• 4. *Prepare the blossoms. The yellow blossom is sweet, but the green is bitter. Holding by the stem in left hand, pinch off the dried green petals underneath.
• 5. Now, cut the stem off just even with the base of the flower as shown. The green petals that are sucked up close to the yellow petals are OK to leave on. Would be too hard to remove & doesn't leave an unfavorable taste.
• 6. In small bowl, prepare the egg wash with the egg & milk.
• 7. Heat about 1 1/2" of canola oil in cast iron skillet, if you have one. I heat on high heat.
• 8. Drop all of your blossoms in egg wash.
• 9. Shake off excess liquid & place in your dry mix & coat. Shake off excess.
• 10. Be sure to have all of your blossoms coated before you put the first one in, as you will want to drop in hot grease, one at a time, & keep doing this until you have several in there, single depth. Don't overcrowd them.
• 11. Using a straining or slotted spoon, keep turning them & tossing them to make sure both sides are cooked thoroughly. They cook really fast, so keep on the ball with them. Always remember: they will keep cooking after they leave the grease, so don't wait until they are dark brown to remove them. Just a golden brown.
• 12. Remove from grease & place on paper towels to drain, on oven proof dish. Cover with paper towels also & place in 200° oven while you cook more or let them eat them as they come out of the skillet.
• 13. These should be nice & crispy & remain that way even when cold. Enjoy!!

FRIED DANDELION BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Wash dandelion blossoms in salted water (about 3 tablespoons in 1 gallon of water) rinse throughly and pat semi-dry on a towel.
• Mix flour, salt and pepper in large zip-lock bag; add dandelion blossoms and shake until coated.
• Fry in hot oil until browned. Drain on paper towels and salt to taste.
• Don't forget you can use the dandelion leaves in a salad.

DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Place the peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, black vinegar, and chili oil into the bowl of a mini-food processor. Process until the mixture is well combined and forms a paste, 1 to 2 minutes. With the processor running, gradually add the chicken broth and process until the sauce is creamy and well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, cover, and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
• Place 4 quarts water into a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander. Add the noodles to the bowl with the sauce and toss to combine. Serve topped with the peanuts and scallions.

SAUTEED DANDELION GREENS

Steps:

• To a large pot of boiling water, add some salt and the dandelion greens. Cook until bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the greens with a spider and drop them in a bowl full of ice water to stop the cooking.
• Add the olive oil to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the greens and toss until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.