Best Fried Greens Recipes

PAN-FRIED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Add bacon to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove from the pan and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Add the onion to the bacon grease and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add the greens, honey, hot sauce and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Cook the greens, stirring occasionally, until greens are nice and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Taste and add more salt and/or pepper if necessary. Serve hot with bacon on top.

STIR-FRIED BOK CHOY OR STURDY GREENS

Steps:

• If using bok choy, trim off the bottoms and separate into stalks. Rinse if necessary and drain on paper towels. Cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces. If using collard greens, stem, discard stems and chop the leaves coarsely. Bring an inch of water to a boil in the bottom of a steamer, and place the bok choy or greens in the steamer basket. Steam 1 minute, remove from the heat and rinse with cold water. Squeeze out excess water and drain on a kitchen towel.
• Combine the broth or water, rice wine or sherry, soy sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl and place within arm's reach of your pan. Have the remaining ingredients measured out and near the pan.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or a 12-inch skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in the oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 10 seconds, until fragrant. Add the bok choy or greens, sprinkle with salt and the sugar, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Stir the cornstarch mixture and swirl into the wok, then stir-fry 1 minute, or until the greens are just tender. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds. Remove from the heat and serve.

SPICY STIR-FRIED COLLARD GREENS WITH RED OR GREEN CABBAGE

Steps:

• In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the rice wine or sherry, the broth or water and the soy sauce. Have all the ingredients within arm's reach from your pan.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of the oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the garlic, ginger and pepper and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds.
• Swirl in the remaining oil and add the cabbage and collard greens. Turn the heat to high and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the greens begin to wilt. Add the salt, toss together and add the soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, until the collard greens and cabbage are crisp-tender. Remove from the heat and serve.

STIR-FRIED ASIAN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add collards and toss to lightly coat with oil. Pour in broth and soy sauce. Cover, reduce heat, and steam until tender, turning every few minutes, 7 to 8 minutes total. Remove from heat, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve.

STIR-FRIED CHINESE GREENS WITH GINGER, OYSTER AND SOY SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove any blemished outside stalks from the greens. Put the spinach to one side so that you can add it to the wok or pan at the last minute, as it cooks very quickly. Prepare the rest of the Chinese greens; i normally cut the Chinese broccoli into strips and the bok choy into quarters. Plunge the greens into boiling water for about 1 1/2 minutes until just tender, and drain well.
• Put the oil and the ginger into a very large, hot wok or other suitable pan and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the scallions and the rest of the ingredients apart from the seasoning. Stir, then add the spinach and toss so that everything is coated in sauce. The vegetables will sizzle and stir-fry. The oyster and soy sauce will reduce, just coating the greens. At this point season to taste. Stir-fry for a further minute and serve immediately.

PASTA WITH WILTED GREENS, BACON AND FRIED EGG

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's just al dente. (It should still have quite a bite to it; you'll finish cooking it in the skillet.) Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it has rendered all its fat and the pieces are crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate or bowl, leaving the fat behind in the skillet; set bacon aside.
• Return the skillet with the bacon fat to medium-high heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Fry the eggs, using a spoon to encourage the bacon fat to come up around the whites and cause them to puff slightly. Cook the eggs until the whites are just set and crisped around the edges and the yolk is still bright yellow and runny, about 3 minutes.
• Using a spatula, transfer eggs to another paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat behind; set eggs aside.
• Return the skillet with the bacon fat to medium heat and add the garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it's softened and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add kale by the handful, letting it wilt between additions, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the kale is totally wilted and softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add pasta and 1/2 cup pasta water to the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom. Season with salt and plenty of fresh ground pepper. Continue to cook at medium heat, tossing the pasta occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and reduced by about half, about 2 minutes.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup pasta water and continue to cook, tossing to encourage the starches to release, until you've got a thick, glossy sauce, about 2 to 3 minutes. (The pasta should also be completely tender at this point.) Add 1/4 cup grated cheese and more freshly ground pepper; toss to coat.
• Divide pasta among bowls and crumble crispy bacon over. Top with additional cheese and a fried egg. Make sure to break the yolk before eating.

STIR-FRIED ASIAN GREENS WITH CHILES AND GARLIC

Steps:

• 1. Carefully inspect the greens, discarding or trimming off any spoiled stems or leaves. Trim the bottom ends off and discard. Wash the greens in several changes of the coldest possible water; tepid water might cause them to wilt, and you want them to stay as alert and perky as possible before being cooked. (Note: Because bok choi and baby bok choi tend to have pockets full of sand in the nooks where the leaves meet the center stem, be certain to pull the leaves back slightly away from the stem when you're cleaning them. There are few things worse than a mouthful of sand when you want a mouthful of greens.)
• 2. Cut the cleaned greens into pieces 2-1/2 to 3 inches long. If any of the stems are particularly wide - say, more than 1 inch - or are tough or sinewy-looking, cut them in half lengthwise. If you're using baby bok choi or baby Shanghai choi, you can either leave the heads whole or cut them in half lengthwise - it's up to you. Spin the greens dry in a salad dryer or set them aside to air-dry on a kitchen towel or paper towels; they needn't be bone dry - a little dampness won't matter.
• 3. In a wok, 12-inch skillet, Dutch oven, or soup pot (any pot large and wide enough to comfortably hold the greens will do), heat the oil over medium-high heat. When it's hot but not smoking - it should appear shimmery - add the garlic, the salt, and, if using, the chiles. Sauté, stirring until the garlic just begins to lose its rawness, about 1 minute. (Try not to let the garlic turn golden or golden brown, which would give this dish an inappropriate roasted taste.)
• 4. Add the greens. Raise the heat slightly and immediately begin to vigorously stir-fry the greens around the pot. Continue to vigorously stir-fry the greens until they just begin to go limp but the leaves remain a spring-green color and the stems are still crunchy-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the type of greens. Taste for salt, adding only a pinch more if necessary (a little salt goes a long way with greens).
• 5. Transfer the cooked greens to a large serving platter and serve promptly. Be careful not to pile the greens in a small bowl; since the greens will continue to cook for a minute or two after they're removed from the heat, a serving bowl that crowds them may cause them to overcook and become mushy.

BEANS-AND-GREENS PASTA WITH FRIED EGGS

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan filled two-thirds full of water to a boil. Add a small handful of salt and the spaghetti. Cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions recommend.
• Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spoon four 1-tablepoon rounds of Parmesan into the skillet, leaving space between each. Cook until the cheese is melted and the edges are lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Using a thin spatula, flip the rounds and cook until golden and the chips start to stiffen, 1 to 3 minutes longer. Transfer the frico to a plate to cool and crisp. Do not wipe out the skillet.
• Drain the spaghetti in a colander and rinse under cool water to prevent sticking. Wipe out the saucepan the pasta was cooked in. Place over medium heat and add the oil. Add the onion, garlic and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the same skillet over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and sprinkle with salt. Immediately reduce the heat to low and cook until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the broth to onion and garlic in the saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Stir in the chickpeas and lemon zest and juice. Add the spinach, pasta and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Cook over medium heat, tossing gently, until the spinach is just wilted and the pasta is heated through; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the pasta among shallow bowls. Top each with a fried egg and a crumbled frico. Serve with more Parmesan.

MIXED GREENS WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES AND FRIED GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the salad: Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and starting to brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, toast the pecans in a large skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
• For the vinaigrette: Whisk together the champagne vinegar, orange juice, honey, Dijon and shallot in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil; season with some salt and pepper.
• For the goat cheese croutons: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Slice the goat cheese into 8 equal rounds. Add to 3 shallow dishes, the flour, egg and panko. Coat each goat cheese round with flour, then egg and then panko, shaking off excess, and fry until golden on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a paper-towel lined rack or plate.
• To assemble the salad, toss the greens, pear, pecans and tomatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with some vinaigrette and gently toss to fully combine. Divide the salad among 4 salad plates, top each with 2 goat cheese croutons, and serve.

STIR-FRIED SHRIMP WITH SPICY GREENS

Steps:

• Combine the broth, 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the rice wine or sherry and sugar in a small bowl. Combine the garlic, 1 tablespoon of the ginger, and the minced chiles in another bowl. Have all of your ingredients within reach of your wok or pan.
• In a medium bowl combine the cornstarch, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine or sherry, and 1 tablespoon of the ginger. Stir together well. Lightly salt the shrimp and toss with the cornstarch mixture until coated.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or a 12-inch skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Add in the oil by pouring it on the sides of the pan and swirling the pan. Add the garlic, ginger and chiles and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds. Add the red pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the shrimp with any liquid in the bowl and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until pink and opaque. Add the amaranth (or beet greens) and scallions, stir-fry for about 30 seconds, add the broth mixture and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the greens have wilted. Add the cilantro and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and serve with rice or noodles, red rice being my first choice.

STIR-FRIED CHICKEN WITH GREENS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the egg white, cornstarch, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the rice wine or sherry, salt to taste and 1 1/2 teaspoons water. When you can no longer see any cornstarch, add the chicken and stir together until coated. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes
• Bring 2 to 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large saucepan and add the kale. Boil 1 minute, until just tender, and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Do not drain the water from the pot. Drain the kale, squeeze out excess water and chop coarsely
• Combine the remaining rice wine, the stock and the soy sauce in a small bowl and set near your wok
• Bring the water in the pot back to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and turn the heat down so that the water is at a bare simmer. Carefully add the chicken to the water, stirring so that the pieces don't clump. Cook until the chicken turns opaque on the surface but is not cooked through, about 1 minute. Drain well in a colander
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in the remaining oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds. Add the white and light green pieces of scallions, the brussels sprouts and the red pepper and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add the bok choy and stir-fry for another minute. Add the chicken, the kale and the broth mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle on the green scallion ends. Remove from the heat and serve with grains or noodles

SPICY STIR FRIED CHICKEN AND GREENS WITH PEANUTS

Steps:

• Whisk 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Sherry, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sugar in medium bowl. Add chicken; marinade 20 to 30 minutes.
• Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Sherry, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sugar in small bowl and reserve.
• Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add white parts of onions and chiles; stir 30 seconds. Add chicken; stir-fry just until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer chicken mixture to bowl. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil to same skillet; heat over high heat. Add greens by large handfuls; stir just until beginning to wilt before adding more. Sauté just until tender, 1 to 6 minutes, depending on type of greens. Return chicken to skillet. Add reserved soy sauce mixture; stir until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl; sprinkle with green parts of onions and peanuts.

STIR-FRIED GREENS WITH OYSTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the rice vermicelli in boiling water for 4 minutes. Drain, refresh under cold water, drain again and set aside.
• Mix soy, fish sauce and oyster sauce in a bowl. Heat the sunflower oil in a large wok, add spring onions, chopped garlic cloves and the deseeded and chopped chilli.
• Stir fry for 20 seconds before adding the thinly sliced shiitake or chestnut mushrooms and broccoli florets. Stir fry for 1 minute, then add the pak choi and the sauce mixture. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes over a high heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
• Tip in the noodles, remove from the heat and toss to mix well. Serve in warmed bowls and tuck in with your chopsticks.

STIR-FRIED BEET GREENS, TOFU AND BEETS

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and salt in 1 small container, the soy sauce, sherry and sesame oil in another, and place within arm's reach of your wok. Have the other ingredients in separate containers within arm's reach of your wok.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in the oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the tofu and spread out in a single layer. Don't stir for 1 minute, then stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to color. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds. Add the beets and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the leek and stir-fry for 30 seconds to a minute, until it softens, then add the beet greens and salt and sugar. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until the greens have wilted. Add the sesame seeds, soy sauce, sherry and sesame oil, and cilantro and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the dissolved cornstarch and stir-fry until the liquid in the wok glazes the vegetables and tofu, less than a minute. Remove from the heat and serve with rice, noodles or other grains.

STIR-FRIED PORK AND GREENS WITH NOODLES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, and bring to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens. Cook the greens 1 to 2 minutes, until just tender, and transfer with a slotted spoon or deep-fry skimmer to the ice water. Drain and squeeze out the water (you don't have to squeeze them completely dry). Chop coarsely.
• Cook the noodles. Bring the water in the pot back to a boil, add the noodles, and stir to separate the strands. Add a couple of tablespoons cold water, just so the water doesn't boil over. Boil somen noodles for two minutes, rice vermicelli for five to seven minutes, until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Place in a bowl of cold water, then drain and toss with the sesame oil. Set aside.
• Heat a large, heavy skillet or wok over high heat until hot enough to evaporate a drop of water on contact. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil, swirl to coat the pan, and reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the pork, and stir-fry for two to three minutes, until the meat is cooked through and there are no longer any traces of pink.
• Add the remaining oil, ginger and garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant and beginning to color, about 20 to 30 seconds. Stir in the greens, noodles, soy sauce and stock or water. Stir together until heated through, and serve.

STIR-FRIED BEEF AND GREENS

Steps:

• Season 1 1/4 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2-inch-long slices about 1/4 inch thick, with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat. Add beef to skillet; cook, tossing occasionally, until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger and 3 stalks celery, sliced 1/2 inch thick diagonally; cook until celery is soft, about 4 minutes.
• Add 2 bunches watercress, trimmed and washed; toss until wilted, about 1 minute. Return beef with any juices to skillet; stir in 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Serve hot over rice.

STIR-FRIED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• 1. .Wash the collard greens and trim the hard ends off. Cut the leaves into small pieces, approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. 2.Prepare a large bowl of ice water and set aside. 3.Bring a pot of water to boil. Working in 2 or 3 batches, blanch the greens for 1 minute (begin counting after the water returns to a boil.) Immediately transfer the greens to the ice water to cool. Drain well, then squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Spread the greens on kitchen towels and pat them dry, as the excess water will cause the oil in the wok to spit. Repeat with the remaining batch(es). 4.Heat a wok over medium-high heat until a drop of water evaporates on contact. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the garlic and stir-fry until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the greens and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the oyster sauce mixture, sugar, and optional red pepper flakes. Lower the heat to medium-low and allow the greens to cook for another 3 to 4minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer the greens to a plate and serve.

CHILE-OIL FRIED EGGS WITH GREENS AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Make the chile oil (or skip to Step 4 if using store-bought chile oil): Add red-pepper flakes to a heatproof container that can balance a fine-mesh sieve and comfortably hold at least 1 cup oil. (A 12- or 16-ounce Mason jar works well.) Set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, toast cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamom (if using), fennel seeds and peppercorns, gently shaking the pan, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add oil, garlic and ginger (if using), reduce the heat to low and allow the oil to come to a gentle simmer. Cook until the garlic is deeply golden brown and the ginger is tender, about 20 minutes. (The longer and more gently it cooks, the more flavorful the oil will be.)
• Carefully pour hot oil through sieve directly onto the red-pepper flakes, which will sizzle and fry in the hot oil. Discard strained spices. (You should have a little more than 1 cup oil.) Allow mixture to cool at least 1 hour or, for the best flavor, make it the night before.
• As chile oil simmers, prepare the seed mix: Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a rimmed sheet pan, lay out sesame seeds and pepitas in a single layer, transfer to the oven and toast until golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool slightly, then mix in peanuts and garlic flakes. Set aside.
• Prepare the sautéed kale: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil until it shimmers. Add kale to the skillet, a couple of handfuls at a time, stirring to combine and adding more kale to the skillet as it wilts and space permits. (Kale will release liquid, but if you think it needs more oil, add it to the pan.) When the last batch has been added, season generously with salt. Add vinegar and about 1/2 tablespoon red-pepper flakes scooped from the chile oil, and stir to incorporate. You want some wilted bits and some crunchier drier bits. Set over low heat as you fry your eggs.
• Prepare the eggs: In another large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil. Working in batches, cook 1 to 2 eggs per person, adding oil as needed, until the yolk is a desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes for sunny-side up.
• Plate the dish: Dollop about 1/4 cup yogurt onto the center of each plate, spread it in a circle, leaving space around the edge of the plate for the seeded oil and a divot in the middle for the greens. Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons chile oil around the edge of the yogurt, and sprinkle seed mix over the oil. Divide warm greens on top of yogurt, and top with eggs. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve immediately.

COLLARD GREENS, FAST OR SLOW SPICY STIR-FRIED COLLARD GREENS WITH RED OR GREEN CABBAGE

Steps:

• 1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the rice wine or sherry, the broth or water and the soy sauce. Have all the ingredients within arm's reach from your pan. 2. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of the oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the garlic, ginger and pepper and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds. 3. Swirl in the remaining oil and add the cabbage and collard greens. Turn the heat to high and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the greens begin to wilt. Add the salt, toss together and add the soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, until the collard greens and cabbage are crisp-tender. Remove from the heat and serve.

PAN-FRIED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Wash collard greens in a bowl full of water with vinegar and salt. Drain and repeat if needed, until the water is clear. Roll the leaves up into tight bunches and cut into thin strips. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high, and add turkey and ham hock. Boil for 10 minutes, and then rinse and dry the meat. Clean out the pot.
• In a blender or food processor, purée onions and peppers. Return the pot to high heat, and add turkey, ham hock, about three-quarters of the onion and pepper purée, along with broth, chicken seasoning, seasoned salt and Maggi cube if using. Bring to a boil, and cook until the liquid is reduced to 1 cup, about 40 minutes. Add the dried fish, if using.
• Meanwhile, in a large pan, heat oil over medium. Add remaining onion and pepper purée, along with collard greens. Cover and cook, stirring frequently, until greens are wilted and tender, about 30 minutes.
• Once stock is reduced, lower heat to medium, add cooked greens and cook, stirring well, for 5 to 10 minutes to incorporate flavors and thicken the broth. Serve with rice.