Best Apple Cider Braised Greens Recipes

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BRAISED COLLARD GREENS



Braised Collard Greens image

Adding hard cider to smoky ham stock (a trick from the recipe developer Grace Parisi) builds a foundation of tangy, tart flavors in this recipe. It takes about 2 hours for the hocks to become tender, but once your kitchen fills with the smell of ham bubbling away in a pot of vinegary cider, you'll never want that slow simmer to end. If you like really sour collards, add a splash of apple cider vinegar once the greens have finished braising.

Provided by Sarah Jampel

Categories     vegetables, side dish

Time 3h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds smoked ham hocks
2 onions, thinly sliced into half-moons
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 (650-milliliter/22-ounce) bottle hard apple cider (about 2 3/4 cups)
2 pounds collard greens (about 3 to 4 bunches), large stems removed, washed and cut into 1/4-inch ribbons
Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid over medium-high. When hot, add ham hocks. When they're sizzling, flip and crisp the other side.
  • Add the onions and stir so they are coated in the fat and nestled under and around the hocks. Turn the heat down to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt and brown sugar, and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Pour in the chicken stock and hard cider and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours, until the ham hocks are very tender.
  • Remove the ham hocks and allow to cool slightly. Skim the fat off the surface of the stock. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone (discard the fat and the skin) and chop into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.
  • Bring the stock back to a boil, then add the greens in large handfuls, pressing them down to wilt in the hot stock before adding more leaves. Add the reserved ham hock meat.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the greens are silky and tender. Season with salt and serve with hot sauce and a splash of apple cider vinegar, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 320, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 998 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CIDER-BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH APPLES AND GREENS



Cider-Braised Chicken Thighs With Apples and Greens image

In this hearty one-pot dinner, chicken thighs are browned, then braised in chicken broth flavored with mustard, sage, garlic and a triple dose of apple: apple cider, cider vinegar and apple slices. The addition of a few handfuls of greens makes this a complete meal, in need of nothing else but a nice of hunk of bread to soak up the broth and perhaps a glass of dry white wine.

Provided by Lidey Heuck

Categories     dinner, poultry, main course

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 to 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4 to 6)
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons canola or grapeseed oil
1 cup thinly sliced shallots (2 to 3 medium shallots)
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh sage leaves
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup fresh apple cider
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3/4 to 1 cup chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
1 bunch curly kale (10 to 12 ounces), stemmed, leaves torn into bite-size pieces
1 crisp red apple, such as Fuji, cored and thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
  • In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the oil over medium. Cook the chicken thighs skin-side down, undisturbed, until the skin is golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip and cook until lightly browned on the other side, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  • Pour off all but about 3 tablespoons of fat from the pot, turn the heat to medium-low, then add the shallots and sage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
  • Add the cider, cider vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the cider has reduced slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot, skin-side up. Pour just enough broth around (not on!) the chicken to cover the sides of the thighs but not cover the skin on top.
  • Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Partly cover and gently simmer until the thighs are cooked through and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate or sheet pan (if you'd like to broil the chicken in the next step), raise the heat to medium, and add the kale and apple to the pot. Cook, tossing often, until all the kale is wilted, the apples are just softened and the liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. While the greens cook, if you'd like to crisp the skin on the chicken, pop it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Taste for seasoning, and stir in 1 or 2 more teaspoons cider vinegar to taste. Divide the chicken and kale mixture among shallow bowls; serve with crusty bread to mop up broth.

What Are Apple Cider Braised Greens Recipes?

Apple cider braised greens recipes is a cooking technique that involves cooking green vegetables like kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and spinach in apple cider or apple cider vinegar. The recipe usually involves slow-cooking the greens in a mixture of apple cider, garlic, onions, and other spices until they are tender and flavorful. The result is a dish that is both healthy and delicious, with a unique sweet and tangy flavor that is perfect for fall or winter meals.

The Health Benefits of Apple Cider Braised Greens Recipes

One of the main reasons why apple cider braised greens recipes are so popular is because of the many health benefits that they offer. Green vegetables like kale are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to boost your immune system and protect your body against disease. Cooking the greens with apple cider or apple cider vinegar helps to enhance the nutritional value of the dish, by adding in extra minerals and enzymes that are good for your digestive system.
1. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals:
Green vegetables like kale, collard greens, and spinach are known to be rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and other minerals. These nutrients are important for supporting healthy bones, teeth, and skin, as well as for promoting good vision and a strong immune system.
2. Antioxidant-Rich:
Green vegetables are also known to be rich in antioxidants, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and other compounds that can help to protect your body against oxidative stress and inflammation. These antioxidants can help to reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
3. Supports Digestive Health:
Apple cider or apple cider vinegar is known to be rich in probiotics and enzymes that can help to support good digestive health. When you cook greens in apple cider, you add in extra digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria that can help to break down the fiber in the greens and make them more easily digestible.

How to Make Apple Cider Braised Greens Recipes

While there are many different recipes for apple cider braised greens, most recipes involve slow-cooking the greens in a mixture of apple cider, garlic, onions, and other spices until they are tender and flavorful. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
  • 1 bunch of kale, collard greens, or other greens
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup of apple cider or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add in the onion and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until the onion is soft.
  2. Add in the greens and sauté for a few minutes until they begin to wilt.
  3. Add in the apple cider, cumin, salt, and pepper, and stir well to combine.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the greens to simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until they are tender and flavorful.
  5. Adjust the seasonings as needed, and serve hot.

The Bottom Line

Apple cider braised greens recipes are a healthy and delicious way to enjoy green vegetables like kale, collard greens, and spinach. Whether you're looking for a new side dish to add to your winter meals, or you're trying to find ways to incorporate more greens into your diet, apple cider braised greens recipes are a great place to start. So why not try out a new recipe today and start enjoying the many health benefits of this nutritious and flavorful dish?
Getting into the kitchen and cooking one's meals is one of those skills that should be obtained by everyone. As this is not just a critical survival skill, cooking is something that one can take pleasure in as well. One of the most nutritious and healthiest foods out there is greens. It doesn't just contain an enormous and healthy volume of various vitamins and nutrients, but it's also very versatile and can be cooked in various ways. One excellent way that it can be cooked to perfection is to make Apple Cider Braised Greens, which is tasty, flavorful, and very healthy. Here are some valuable tips to make Apple Cider Braised Greens recipes:

1. Choose your Greens:

When making Apple Cider Braised Greens, it's essential to choose the types of greens that one wants to cook. This recipe can work on any type of greens, but to get a fantastic-tasting dish, the right greens should be utilized. Some varieties of greens that can be used in this recipe are kale, spinach, collard greens, mustard greens, and Swiss chard. Once the greens have been received, wash them correctly and then remove any hard stems and veins.

2. Utilize Quality Apple Cider:

Apple Cider is a crucial ingredient in this recipe, and it's vital that the right apple cider is utilized. When selecting Apple Cider, look for one that is of high quality and has no preservatives, additives, and chemicals. Fresh Apple Cider is preferred, and if possible, one can opt to create their Apple Cider to ensure that the contents are all-natural and organic.

3. Add Flavor with Aromatics:

Aromatic spices and vegetables can add some flavor to the recipe. Before adding the greens to the recipe, consider using onion, garlic, ginger, green onions, black pepper, or red pepper flakes. These aromatics help enhance the taste of the greens, making it more flavorful and delicious.

4. Don't Overcook the Greens:

When cooking the greens, always ensure they're cooked to the right texture. Overcooked greens can become mushy, lose their color and flavor. On the other hand, undercooked greens can be hard and unpleasant to eat. Cook the greens until they're wilted and tender, but ensure they don't lose their color or firmness. If one is unsure about the ideal cooking time, some recipes suggest cooking times based on the type of greens.

5. Consider Adding Protein:

For added nutrition, one can add some protein to the dish to help make it a complete meal. For instance, one can add some beans, chicken, tofu, seafood, or pork to their Apple Cider Braised Greens to enhance its nutritional value.

6. Adjust the Acidity Levels:

The Apple Cider used in the recipe can sometimes add some acidity to the dish, and in some cases, it can be too sour for some palettes. If the Apple Cider is slightly acidic, balance this out by adding some sugar, honey, or maple syrup to the recipe. This will give a sweet and tangy flavor, balancing the acidity of the Apple Cider, making it more palatable.

7. Store Correctly:

Any leftover Apple Cider Braised Greens should be stored correctly to retain its taste and freshness. One can store the greens in airtight containers or vacuum seal bags and refrigerate them until needed. The greens can last up to four days in the refrigerator before the taste begins to change, so ensure they're consumed before then.
Conclusion:
The Apple Cider Braised Greens recipe is a perfect combination of healthy, nutritious, and flavorful ingredients that makes for a perfect meal. By utilizing the tips given above, one can make an excellent Apple Cider Braised Greens recipe, ensuring that the greens retain their taste and freshness while enhancing the overall flavor of the dish. Following these tips will help anyone create an Apple Cider Braised Greens recipe that can be loved by all.

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