Best Coconut Creamed Greens Recipes

COCONUT CREAMED GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread out coconut flakes on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and toast, undisturbed, until some are golden brown (some will remain white), 5-7 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, remove ribs and stems from greens and discard. Cut leaves into 1"-thick strips; set aside.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add onion, chile, and ginger; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add mustard seeds, coriander, and turmeric and cook, stirring to evenly distribute, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add coconut milk to skillet and bring to a simmer. Add reserved greens a handful at a time, letting each batch wilt slightly before adding more. Cook, tossing occasionally, until greens are tender and mixture looks creamy, 15-18 minutes. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
• Transfer greens to a platter or large shallow bowl and top with coconut flakes and cilantro.

COCONUT-BRAISED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Cut off and discard any dry or wilted bits from the collard greens and wash the remaining collards in cold water. Transfer to a colander to drain, then coarsely chop the stems and leaves into 2- to 3-inch pieces.
• In a large wok or skillet, heat butter and oil over medium-high until rippling. Add scallions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add collards and cook, stirring, just until wilted, about 1 minute.
• Add coconut milk and soy sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until collards are cooked to your taste, about 7 minutes for bright and crisp greens or 10 minutes for darker, softer greens.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

COCONUT CREAMED KALE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a 3-quart/9-by-13-inch baking pan, use a fork to stir together the coconut milk, curry powder, ginger and sambal oelek. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a generous grind of black pepper.
• Add half the kale and use your hands to toss to coat. Add the remaining kale, season with salt and pepper, and massage with your hands so that the volume decreases a bit, and the kale no longer extends above the pan's edge. Toss just once or twice so some of the kale is coated in sauce.
• Bake for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with coconut flakes, then continue to bake until the sauce has thickened and the kale on top is crisp, another 10 to 15 minutes, keeping an eye on the coconut flakes to avoid burning. Serve warm.

COCONUT-CREAMED CORN AND GRAINS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Cook chile, ginger, garlic, and 2 sliced scallions, tossing, until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add turmeric and cook, stirring frequently, just until darkened and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add corn and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, tossing occasionally, until corn is beginning to lightly brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add grains to skillet and cook, tossing often, until heated through and beginning to crisp around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add ½ cup coconut milk; season with salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, adding 1-2 Tbsp. water if needed to loosen, until flavors have come together, about 3 minutes.
• Divide corn mixture between plates or shallow bowls and drizzle with more coconut milk. Top with crispy onions and more scallion. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

COCONUT MILK BRAISED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the shallots are translucent and the garlic is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the collards, coconut milk and 5-spice powder, season with salt and cook over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced and creamy, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and serve.