Dandelion Communitea Café

Happy Hempy Hummus Henry's Hearty Chili

618 N. Thornton Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
407-362-1864

www.dandelioncommunitea.com

Hours
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Beer, wine, and elixir tonics are served.

The curvy sunny-yellow vinyl couch and the Mother-Earthy, bohemian vibe might lure you in, but it's the homemade organic vegan food—mixed with love, handled with care, and served in a friendly, casual, everyone-knows-your-name atmosphere—that will keep you coming back again and again.

Since co-owners Julie Norris and Chris Blanc opened Dandelion's doors in March 2006, it has evolved into a community-oriented, eco-friendly vegan café, with a diverse group of customers—50 percent of whom are not vegetarian—and a full schedule of evening entertainment, including local bands, poetry and tarot-card readings, eco-networking nights called "Green Drinks," and full-moon drum circles.

Located inside a renovated 1930s bungalow, Dandelion is the only restaurant in town with a completely organic vegetarian menu. It also offers almost 50 varieties of organic loose-leaf tea. Decorated with an eclectic array of thrift store art treasures, Dandelion's nature-inspired color scheme of bright grass green outside and sky blue and pasture green inside leaves no doubt that the owners are dedicated to the environment. In fact, Dandelion has been designated a "Certified Green Business" by Co-op America, thanks to its organic community garden, thrift store bowls and plates, and takeout packaging of cold cups made of corn and unbleached, recycled paper products.

Dandelion features Florida-grown and organic food, including gluten-free dishes and fresh salads, wraps, and sandwiches with names as hilarious as the dishes are delish, such as "Bean There, Done That," "Summer of Love Rolls," and "Polynesian Banana Fantasy."

The menu's variety ensures that you'll find whatever you're in the mood for. "The Giddyup" gets you energized with spring greens, and the café's best-selling chili is topped with a tasty "Goddess" dressing. Or tempt yourself with a feta cheese-free version of  "Eve's Revenge," a refreshing, light mix of seasonal apples, walnuts, red onion, and raisins on spring greens with "Razzmania" vinaigrette. Rediscover "Fluffer Nutter," a childhood-favorite-turned-guilt-free-pleasure that tops toasted sourdough with almond butter, bananas, and Ricemellow fluff.

Happy Hempy Hummus
by Dandelion Communitea Café

For the tastiest results, use organic ingredients!

4 cups garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 oz. fresh lemon juice
3 oz. tahini
1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic
2 oz. olive oil
2 oz. water
1 tsp. salt
Hemp seeds, to taste

• Blend the garbanzo beans and the lemon juice together in a food processor. With the processor running, add the tahini and garlic.
• Slowly add the olive oil.
• Slowly add the water and salt.
• Shake some hemp seeds on top and serve at room temperature with veggies, pita, or blue corn chips.
  

Makes 6 servings

Henry's Hearty Chili
by Dandelion Communitea Café

1 small red onion, chopped
1 large green or red pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 pkg. veggie burger crumbles
1 cup corn
3 tsp. hot sauce
1 packet chili seasoning
3 tsp. sea salt
2 large cans cooked kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 large cans diced tomatoes with juice

• Place the ingredients in a slow cooker in the order listed.
• Cook on medium until hot, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
  

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