On the special occasion of Mother’s Day, I’d like to post a recipe in honour of Mother Nature!
Forget about treating Taraxacum officinale as a garden or lawn weed and start appreciating the beneficial properties of Dandelions!
First, dash out to get a bottle of fruit schnapps, such as kirsch, peach, or plum (grappa or vodka will do as well) — schnapps is usually 40% alcohol (80 proof).
Gather about 30 flower heads (make sure to collect them from a pesticide and traffic free area). You also need a spring of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).
Pick off the yellow flower petals and discard the sepals (green parts — they are bitter). Place petals and lemon balm in a clean glass jar. Add schnapps (375 ml bottle).
Let steep in a bright place for 14 days (not in direct sunlight). Every day, shake the mixture lightly.
After two weeks, strain and filter the infusion into a clean bottle. The schnapps will have a nice yellow colour! At this stage, I like to add a tablespoon of liquid honey to sweeten. Shake well to mix the honey with the dandelion schnapps and you’re done! Store away from heat or sunlight, best in a dark cupboard.
“If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world”.
