Food Writing Sample - Springfield, MO -Dandelion Recipe

Title: Dandelion Cookies

Meduim: Acrylic on recycled paper
Size: 8X8"

Simple Dandelion Flower Cookies

Ingredients:
4 cups vegetable oil
4 cups honey
8 eggs
4 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups unbleached flour
4 cups dry oatmeal
2 cups dandelion flowers.

1) Preheat the oven to 375.
2) Mix the oil and honey and then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
3) Remove the yellow flower parts from the green parts (compost the green parts).
4) Stir in the flour, oatmeal, and dandelion flowers.
5) Drop the batter by tablespoonfuls onto oiled cookie sheets.
6) Bake for 10-15 minutes.
7) Let cool

This recipe is easily modifiable to make more or less cookies (we cook in large batches), and to add different flavors. These are very heavy, bread-like cookies, perfect for a snack when flying kites on a crisp spring day. Add cinnamon for a dash of spice, a bit of ginger for a kick, or even a bit of citrus zest for a sunnier flavor. These are very chewy and dense, like a thick muffin.

When removing the yellow parts from the green, we put the yellows in a jar of water to prevent wilting while we get them all separated. This is a great job for the kids. When we strain & drain the yellow bits, we save the water for making tea and other goodies to get the most possible benefit from the flowers.

We like to take these to potluck dinners in the spring, and really enjoy freezing the little delights and eating them as a special treat at Yule to celebrate the return of the sun.

It's not only fun to gather dandelion flowers and use them in your cooking, they also offer several health benefits. The blossoms are good for your heart, and full of vitamin C. When steeped as a tea, 100they have been recommended for headaches, menstrual cramps, backaches, stomach aches, and even depression!