Rustic Dandelion & Wild Herb Quiche

It's springtime! The season of renewal, rebirth, and gentle shifts that support the body's natural detoxification processes. As we emerge from winter, bitter herbs like dandelion take center stage. While its bright yellow flowers have a delicate sweetness reminiscent of honey, the leaves bring a pleasantly bitter flavour, perfect for supporting liver health and digestion. What better way to enjoy their benefits than in these savoury Dandelion & Wild Herb Quiche!

In this article, you will learn:

• Dandelion - Nutritional Benefits

• Recipe

• Conclusion

• References

Dandelion - Nutritional Benefits

Taste: Bitter (Leaves)

Ever notice how your mouth floods with saliva when you eat something bitter? Digestion starts with saliva, which contains enzymes that break down food and signal the body to produce stomach acid⁽¹⁾. Beyond that, bitters offer a range of benefits:

• Promotes healthy bowel movements⁽²⁾

• Support detoxification⁽³⁾

• Stimulate your appetite naturally⁽³⁾

• Boost bile production and flow⁽²⁾

• Aid in the breakdown of nutrients⁽²⁾

• Support the spleen, liver, and pancreas⁽²⁾

• Help reduce fat⁽³⁾

• Acts as a diuretic⁽³⁾

• Alleviates inflammation, fever, and nausea⁽³⁾

• Anti-bacterial and anti-viral⁽³⁾

Nutrients: Leaves

While slightly bitter in nature, dandelion leaves are a rich source of nutrients, including⁽⁴⁾:

• Calcium

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Manganese

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Selenium

• Zinc

• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C

• Beta-carotenes

Recipe

Crust

3 cups all purpose flour (divided)

1 cup cold butter, cut into cubes (divided)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup cold water

Directions:

1. In a food processor, add the all purpose flour and salt. Pulse to mix. Then add the butter cubes. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Gradually add the cold water, pulsing until the dough holds together when squeezed in your hand.

2. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and form it into a ball. It may be crumbly at first, but it will come together as you work it. Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a round disk, and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using.

3. After chilling, roll the dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Line a pie plate with the dough, crimp the edges as desired, and prick the bottom all over with a fork. Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Once the dough is well chilled, remove it from the freezer, line it with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

5. Carefully remove the crust from the oven and lift out the parchment paper with the pie weights. Place crusts back into the oven for an additional 10 minutes. The crust will be partially baked and ready for the quiche filling.

Quiche Filling

1 generous bunch of dandelion greens

4 large eggs

2 tbsp chives, snipped or finely chopped

1 tbsp calendula flower petals, dried (organic, food grade)

3/4 cup 1% milk (if you want a richer quiche you can use whole milk, low fat milk also works well)

3/4 cup Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese, grated

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Trim and discard the tough stems from the dandelion greens and wash the leaves thoroughly. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and set up a bowl of ice water. Once boiling, add the greens and blanch for three minutes. Transfer the leaves to the ice water, then drain, squeeze out excess water, and chop.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, calendula petals, milk, salt and pepper. Add the cheese, dandelion greens and chives to the bottom of the pie crust. Pour the egg mixture over the top and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until set and lightly browned. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or hot with a side salad.

Note:

• As this recipe uses dried calendula, placing them in the milk helps soften the petals.

Photo & Recipe by Aether Botanicals Inc.

Conclusion:

Dandelion’s bitter greens and nutrient-rich profile make them a perfect addition to seasonal meals, supporting digestion, detoxification, and overall well-being. This Dandelion & Wild Herb Quiche offer a delicious way to embrace the benefits of spring’s wild bounty. Enjoy them warm, savouring the nourishing flavours that connect us to nature’s rhythms.

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References:

1. Willard T, McCormick J. The Mouth and Saliva. In: Textbook of Modern Herbology  . Calgary, AB: Wild Rose College of Natural Medicine; 1993. p. 92–3. 

2. Nabholz B. Taste as Medicine . In: Western Energetics . Cumberland, BC: Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine ; 2022. p. 38–9.

3. Lad V. Digestion and Nutrition . In: Textbook of Ayurveda Fundamental Principles . Albuquerque , NM: The Ayurvedic Press; 2002. p. 243–4.

4. Balch P. Herbs and Their Uses. In: Prescription for Nutritional Healing . 6th ed. Avery Penguin Random House; 2023. p. 109.