Dandelion Fritters!

Did you know that all those dandelion blossoms outside have so many health benefits for you and they're free! Just don't pick them from mowed lawns- pesticides and gasoline from lawn mowers are not beneficial to your health, in case you didn't know. But there are plenty of other areas where these abundant "weeds" can be picked. Here's a site with information about this amazing wild edible: http://www.leaflady.org/health_benefits_of_dandelions.htm.

The trick to foraging for wild edibles is to pick the part of the plant that is currently growing. That's where you'll find the vitamins and nutrients you're seeking.

Okay so the way to make dandelion fritters is pretty straight-forward. Pick the blossoms in full sun when they're open (you have to fry them up promptly because the blossoms will close when not in the sun). Make sure you remove the entire stem by pinching it off. You don't want to eat any of the white latex. For vegans just mix up some powdered Ener-G Egg Replacer (http://www.ener-g.com/) which you can find at your local health food store. Dip the blossoms in the liquid and then mix them in a bowl of cornflour with your choice of dried seasonings like parsley, oregano, basil, etc. Have fun experimenting!

Wild Mushroom Stroganoff

Source: Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Wild Mushrooms: Dryad Saddle from local woods

One of my favorite activities in the warmer months is wild foraging. I recently discovered a patch of dryad saddles a short bike ride from my home and I've been returning on the weekends to replenish my supply. These are so tasty! They're firm and hold up well in meals because they don't get slimy. I don't recommend mushrooming unless you have an experienced guide with you. Just sayin'.

So this dish is fairly easy- just make the pasta, then the sauce and voila! Dinner is served.