Cicoria e rise - Dandelion and Rice - Vegan Options

Bisnonna Alcina’s

Cicoria e Rise - Dandelion and Rice
https://youtu.be/fNAvf8LR0E0

Gluten free, dairy and egg free, vegan. And made in one pot!!!!

My mother taught me how to make this dish. It’s something that we ate regularly as kids growing up. I remember helping my mother and her sisters forage for dandelion in the fields. Super  healthy!! You should give it a try. It is bitter when eaten raw but you can remove most of the bitterness by preboiling. I like the bitterness, so I don’t boil it too long. Maybe a couple of minutes so it’s tender. It will continue to cook in the pot too.

Begin by washing and trimming your dandelion discarding any dark or damaged leaves, you can refer to my Dandelion Salad video for a closer look at how to wash and trim dandelion.

Super Green Dandelion Salad
https://youtu.be/Ctrc_D5I4Sk

Boil it for a couple of minutes and drain. Squeeze water out and chop into one inch pieces.

Back in the same pot, add three and a half cups of cold water with half a cup of Passata, or jarred, crushed tomatoes. You can also use fresh crushed tomatoes or canned. Bring all to a boil.

Add one bouillon cube, chicken or vegetable. You can also cook this in your own homemade chicken or vegetable broth. Refer to my video on how to make your own broth.

How to make easy Chicken Broth - Brodo Di Nonna
https://youtu.be/agH3VD-XLQI

How to Make Homemade Vegetable Broth
https://youtu.be/AJz-wu40v1E

Then add half a chopped onion, one cup Italian rice, the precooked dandelion and drizzle it all with extra virgin olive oil. Let it simmer stirring often. Salt and pepper to taste. Remember the bouillon cube is already salted.

That’s pretty much it. It will take about 20 to 25 minutes for the rice to cook. Taste for seasoning and add water as needed, if it gets too dry. This should be soupy style dish, not too dry.

Top with your favourite grated cheese. Yum!