Hindbeh bi Zeit (Dandelion Greens with Caramelized Onions)
Local name: هندباء بزيت
In short: Tender boiled dandelion greens tossed with slowly caramelized onions and olive oil, finished with lemon, a Lebanese meatless classic. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 260 kcal
Hindbeh is a bitter wild green that Lebanese cooks turn into a mellow mezze by boiling it and tossing it with a mountain of caramelized onions. The sweetness of the onions softens the bitterness, and lemon juice and olive oil add brightness. It is served at room temperature with bread and is a common dish on fasting days. Chicory or escarole make good substitutes if dandelion greens are hard to find.
Instructions
- Wash the greens in several changes of water, trim the tough stem ends and cut them into 5 cm (2 in) pieces.
- Boil the greens in a large pot of water for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender. Drain, cool under cold water and squeeze out as much water as you can, then chop roughly.
- Heat the olive oil in a wide pan over medium-low heat. Cook the onions with 1/2 tsp of the salt for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden brown and sweet. Set aside one third of the onions for the topping.
- Add the chopped greens to the pan with the remaining onions and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the greens are coated in oil.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and pepper. Taste and adjust. Pile onto a plate, top with the reserved onions and serve at room temperature with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Squeeze the boiled greens dry, because extra water dilutes the oil and dulls the flavor. If the greens are very bitter, boil them in a second change of water for 2 minutes.
- Cook the onions slowly. They should turn deep brown but not burn, which takes 25 to 30 minutes, and their sugars are what balance the bitterness.
Questions and answers
What can I use instead of dandelion greens?
Chicory, escarole, curly endive, kale or Swiss chard. Bitter greens are closest to the original, so chicory or escarole work best.
How is hindbeh served?
At room temperature as a mezze, with flatbread, olives and a squeeze of lemon. It is also eaten alongside rice.
Can I make hindbeh ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes good cold. Add the lemon juice just before serving.
How long does it take to make Hindbeh bi Zeit (Dandelion Greens with Caramelized Onions)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hindbeh bi Zeit (Dandelion Greens with Caramelized Onions)?
About 260 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 260 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
