Best Perfectly Cooked Greens Recipes

SOUTHERN-STYLE COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Cook bacon over medium heat in a 10-qt. stockpot for 10 to 12 minutes or until almost crisp.
• Add onion to stockpot, and sauté 8 minutes. Add garlic and ham, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in broth, collard greens, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 2 hours or until desired degree of tenderness.

CHEF SCOTT'S KICKIN' MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir bacon in hot oil until crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove bacon from pot, crumble, and return to the pot. Add onion to the bacon; cook and stir until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into the bacon mixture; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add collard greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens; cook and stir until the greens start to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour chicken broth into the pot; season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover pot with a lid, and cook at a simmer until the greens are tender, about 45 minutes.

COOKED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Add onions and garlic and cook for additional 2 minutes. Add chiles and cook for 1 more minute. Add greens, season with salt and cook for 1 hour over low heat until greens are tender. Add vinegar and a pinch of sugar and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Check seasoning and serve.

PERFECT MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Pull the leaf portions of the collard, mustard, and turnip greens away from the tough stems, and discard the stems. Gently wash the greens in warm water to remove all soil and sand. Partially fill a clean sink with warm water, and stir in 3 tablespoons of salt and 2 cups of chicken broth; allow greens to soak in the mixture for 10 minutes. Scoop up the greens and allow to drain in a colander; discard used chicken broth. Do not rinse the greens.
• Pour the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth into a large pot, and mix in the greens. Stir in vegetable oil, garlic, bacon bits, and sugar, and season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the greens are tender, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

PERFECTLY COOKED GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and return to a boil. Add Swiss chard stems and cook about 4 minutes. Add leaves and cook 2 minutes more. Drain greens and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly.
• Place greens in a large bowl and add lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.

MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Wash the greens well, picking them over to remove any brown spots or blemishes. Drain well. Discard the discolored outer leaves and cut out the thick ribs. Tear the greens into pieces. Place the bacon strips in a large heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat until it is translucent and the bottom of the pan is coated with the rendered bacon fat. Add the greens and the water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook until the greens are tender, about 2 hours. Add the seasonings and serve hot. Top with traditional accompaniments, if desired.;

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.