Best Collard Greens Surprise Recipes

STUFFED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you carefully stem the collard greens, trying to keep the leaves intact. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the collard leaves, in batches. Blanch for 2 minutes and transfer to the ice water. Drain, gently squeeze out excess water and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large nonstick skillet and add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the pine nuts and garlic, stir together and add the drained rinsed rice. Stir for a minute or two, until you hear the rice begin to crackle, then remove from the heat. Toss with the herbs, salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. To gauge how much salt you will need, use the amount that you would use when cooking 1 1/4 cups of rice.
• Oil a wide, deep lidded sauté pan or saucepan with olive oil. To fill the leaves, place one on your work surface, vein side up and with the stem end facing you. The leaf may have a big space in the middle where you stemmed it; if it does, pull the two sides of the leaf in toward each other and overlap them slightly. Place about 1 level tablespoon of filling on the bottom center of each leaf. Fold the sides over, then roll up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. Place in the pan, seam side down, fitting the stuffed leaves in snug layers.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, remaining oil, and tomato paste with 2 tablespoons water. Season to taste with salt. Pour over the rolls. Add enough water to barely cover the rolls and top with a layer of lemon slices if desired. They will add some bitterness to the dish because of the bitter oils in the lemon skin. Invert a plate over the rolls to keep them wrapped and in position, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the pan, turn the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, at which point the leaves will be tender and the rice cooked. Remove from the heat and carefully remove the stuffed leaves from the water to a platter or to plates with a slotted spoon or tongs. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Taste the liquid left in the pot and adjust seasonings. Serve the rolls warm or at room temperature with the liquid from the pot as a sauce.

COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• For the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, mustard and thyme. Mix to blend. Set aside.
• For the collards: Remove the stems and ribs from the collard greens. Stack the leaves and roll them up like a cigar. Slice into 1-inch strips. Wash in cold water and shake off excess.
• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the bacon, onions and garlic; saute until the onions have softened and are just starting to color, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mixture and mix well. Add the chicken stock, vinegar and 2 cups water. Stir, then add the collard greens and ham hock to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 2 hours, or until the collards are tender, stirring every 20 minutes.
• Remove the ham hock and pull all the meat from the bone. Chop into smaller pieces, then return to the pot. Stir to combine. Remove the collard and meat mixture from the pot, shake off excess cooking liquid and transfer to a serving plate.

COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• In a high-sided skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until brown, about 5 minutes. In the same pan add the onions and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Strip the leaves from the tough stems of the collard greens. Stack the leaves, roll them up and cut them into thin strips.
• To the skillet with the bacon and onions, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, brown sugar, cider vinegar, salt and pepper, to taste. Add the greens, stir and cover the skillet. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring halfway though. Collards are done when tender and no longer bitter. Remove from heat to a serving bowl. Serve the greens with the Light and Crispy Fried Chicken, if desired.

SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Prepare the collard greens bath by filling your kitchen sink with cool water and adding vinegar and salt.
• Remove the collard greens from the steams by folding them in half lengthwise and pulling the leaf away from the stem. (discard the stem or see note below on how to cook them)
• Place the collard greens into the prepared water bath and swish them around several times, scrubbing them to help loosen up any dirt.
• Let the collard greens soak for 15-20 minutes, giving them a scrub midway. Drain the water and refill with plain water and allow the greens to soak again if needed. Repeat as many times as needed until the water is free from any dirt or grit. After the final soak, drain the water. Next, rinse and scrub each leaf front and back with cool water to ensure they are squeaky clean.
• Tear the greens into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.
• In a large pot, heat olive oil. Add onions and saute until tender.
• Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until garlic is fragrant.
• Pour in the broth and add the turkey leg. Bring to a boil.
• Add collard greens and reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover and cook collard for 1 hour (or longer depending on your desired tenderness), stirring regularly.
• Once done, stir and then taste the broth and the greens. (add a little water if the broth is too bold for your liking)
• Stir in vinegar and smoked salt, and black pepper if desired.
• Serve collard greens with pieces of the smoked turkey leg and hot sauce if desired.

COLLARD GREENS SURPRISE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (45-60 sec).
• Add the greens, water, smoked salt, cider vinegar, and Tabasco sauce. Season with black pepper.
• Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat to medium low, cover and cook until the greens are tender, 20-25 minutes. Taste and season with smoked salt and pepper.

GRANDMA'S SOUTHERN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon lard over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add ham hocks, water, seasoned salt, pepper flakes, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until meat is tender, 55-60 minutes., Add collard greens, wine, and remaining 1 Tbsp. lard. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until greens are very tender, 55-60 minutes. Remove meat from bones; finely chop and return to pan. Discard bones. Serve with a slotted spoon.

SOUTHERN STYLE COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Combine onions, ham hocks, and garlic in a stockpot; add chicken broth. Cook mixture over medium heat until meat is falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
• Stir collard greens, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into the broth mixture; cook until greens have reached desired tenderness, about 2 more hours.