Best Smoky Greens Recipes

SMOKY BEANS AND GREENS ON TOAST

Steps:

• Heat a large, heavy (preferably cast-iron) skillet over medium. Brush the bread on both sides with the olive oil. Lay the bread in the skillet and cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until crisp and golden brown, about 90 seconds per side. (If your slices are large, you may have to do this in two batches.) Set the bread aside.
• Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until it has browned a little and rendered at least a tablespoon of fat, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it has softened and turned golden, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, thyme (if using), red pepper flakes, and, if you're using canned beans, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and cook, stirring, for a minute or two.
• Add the slightly wet kale in batches, using tongs to stir the leaves into the onion mixture; wait for one handful of kale to wilt and shrink before adding the next. When the last of the greens has been added, add the beans and broth. Raise the heat and let the beans and greens simmer for a minute or two, just to warm the beans and bring the flavors together. Taste and add more kosher salt if necessary.
• Serve the greens and beans over the toast in wide, shallow bowls, dusted with a little more smoked paprika.

SMOKY VEGETARIAN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until browned and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add collard greens and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until greens are slightly wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Combine vegetable broth, cider vinegar, brown sugar, liquid smoke flavoring, and paprika in a large pot; add collard greens mixture. Cover pot and simmer until greens are very tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Strain collard greens before serving.

SMOKY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions, paprika, and cayenne and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water to the pot and once the water is simmering, add the greens (you may have to pack them in). Season generously with salt and pepper, cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the lid, toss the greens well with tongs, and continue simmering on low heat, until the greens are completely cooked and nearly all of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes more.
• Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm.

SMOKY VEGETARIAN BLACK-EYED PEAS WITH COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add black-eyed peas and boil for 1 minute. Drain.
• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in the same pot and stir in ham seasoning. Add peas and simmer until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute until soft, about 30 seconds. Add collard greens and cayenne; cover and cook until greens are soft, about 10 minutes. Add cooked black-eyed peas and heat through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt before serving.

PURPLE HULL PEAS AND MUSTARD GREENS IN SMOKY POTLIKKER

Steps:

• Over medium heat, warm the oil in a large Dutch oven or other soup pot. Add the onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft. Don't let the vegetables brown. Stir in the garlic and cook another minute. Stir in the chile, bay leaves, thyme and allspice.
• If using ham hocks, add them along with 10 cups of water, bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Partly cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 2 hours. If using smoked turkey wings or legs, add 9 cups of water, bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Partly cover with lid and simmer for one hour.
• Stir in the peas, partly cover the pot with the lid and simmer until the peas are tender. This will take about 20 minutes for fresh or frozen peas or as long as 1 1/2 hours for peas that were dried and soaked.
• While the beans cook, wash the mustard greens in several changes of water. Taste a leaf to be certain they are not gritty. Tear the greens into bite-size pieces and discard the tough middle stem. Alternately, pre-cut, bagged mustard greens can be used.
• Remove the hocks or wings to a platter and cool. Take the meat off the bone, chop and add to the pot. Discard any skin and connective tissue.
• Add the shredded mustard greens and tomatoes to the pot and simmer just until the greens are wilted, or about 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper and green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into warm, shallow bowls and scatter a few celery leaves on top. Serve with cornbread and pass pepper vinegar or hot sauce at the table.

BILLY'S FAVORITE SMOKY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot. Saute onion and garlic until onions are translucent. Place chopped collard greens in pot, and add water to cover. Stir in brown sugar, molasses and liquid smoke. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until greens are tender.

SMOKY HAKE, BEANS & GREENS

Steps:

• Boil a full kettle of water and heat the grill to high. Heat 1 tsp oil in a large frying pan. Squeeze the meat from the chorizo directly into the pan. Add the onion and fry for 5 mins, crushing the meat with a spatula until broken up, golden and surrounded by its juices. The onion will also be soft and golden.
• Meanwhile, put the spinach in a colander, slowly pour over the boiled water to wilt it, then run under the cold tap. Squeeze out the excess water using your hands, then set aside. Line a baking tray with foil, rub with a little oil and place the fish on top. Season, sprinkle over the smoked paprika and drizzle with a little more oil.
• Tip the chilli into the pan with the sausages, fry for 1 min more, then add the beans, spinach, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Let it warm through gently, then season to taste.
• Grill the fish for 5 mins or until flaky but not dry - you won't need to turn it. Spoon the bean mixture onto plates, then carefully top with the fish and any juices from the tray. Serve with a dollop of Quick garlic mayonnaise (see recipe, right), if you like.

SMOKY STIR-FRIED GREENS

Steps:

• Combine about 2 quarts water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a saucepan or wok and bring to a boil over high heat. Add vegetables and cook, stirring, until bright green and crisp-tender, about 20 seconds. Immediately drain vegetables and transfer them to an ice bath, or run under cool water until chilled. Spin vegetables dry in a salad spinner, or pat dry on a paper towel-lined sheet tray.
• Combine sugar, cornstarch, white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Stir with a spoon until homogenous, then set aside, leaving the spoon in the bowl.
• Using a paper towel, rub a very thin film of oil into a wok or large skillet, then set over high heat until lightly smoking. Add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl to coat. Add garlic and stir-fry until fragrant but not browned, about 10 seconds.
• Immediately add vegetables and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Working quickly, ignite your blowtorch and, holding the flame 2 to 3 inches above the vegetables, sweep across the surface while shaking the pan, until a smoky aroma reaches your nose, about 15 seconds. (You should hear a distinct crackle and see small bursts of orange flame as the oil on the vegetables jumps and combusts.)
• Still working quickly, stir-fry for another 30 seconds, and torch for another 15 seconds. Stir the sauce to loosen and to distribute the cornstarch that has settled at the bottom of the bowl, then pour it into the wok and stir-fry until the vegetables are coated in a glossy glaze, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately.

JILL NUSSINOW'S SMOKY-SWEET BLACK-EYED PEAS AND GREENS FOR THE INSTANT POT

Steps:

• For the sauté, use the sauté setting over normal, or medium heat, and heat the oil (if using). Add the onion and sauté until transparent, 5 minutes. Then add the garlic and peppers and sauté for a minute more.
• For the first pressure cook, add the smoked paprika, chili powder and black-eyed peas and stir. Add the dates and water but do not stir. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure for 3 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
• For the second pressure cook, open the lid carefully. Add the tomatoes and greens. Return to high pressure for 1 more minute, then turn the valve to release manually. Add salt to taste.
• To serve, you can add as much hot sauce as you want to the pot or pass it at the table so diners can add it themselves.

SMOKY GREENS AND BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over mediumhigh heat. Add onion and sauté until soft and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juice and paprika; stir 1 minute. Add broth and greens; bring to boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until greens are wilted and tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in beans and simmer 1 minute to heat through. Divide among bowls; sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

SMOKY GRILLED PIZZA WITH GREENS & TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place flour, salt and yeast in a food processor; pulse until blended. While processing, add 2 tablespoons oil and enough water in a steady stream for dough to form a ball. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes., Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch down dough. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 2 portions. Press or roll each portion into a 10-in. circle; place each on a piece of greased foil (about 12 in. square). Brush tops with remaining oil; cover and let rest 10 minutes., For topping, in a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beet greens; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds longer. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar., Carefully invert pizza crusts onto oiled grill rack; remove foil. Grill, covered, over medium heat until bottoms are lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Turn; grill until second side begins to brown, 1-2 minutes., Remove from grill. Spread with pesto; top with beet greens, cheeses and tomatoes. Return pizzas to grill. Cook, covered, over medium heat until cheese is melted, 2-4 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.

SMOKY GREENS

Steps:

• Blanche the mixture of greens in boiling water until just bright green. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add prepared adobe sauce to skillet (depending on desired heat).
• Add sea salt to taste and quickly saute the greens to desired tenderness

SMOKY TANGY GREENS AND BEANS

Steps:

• Heat butter in a large heavy pot over medium. Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5-7 minutes; season with salt. Transfer to a plate.
• Cook oil and bacon in same pot over medium-low, stirring often, until bacon is browned around the edges, 5-8 minutes. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until garlic is golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes and black pepper, then add stock, vinegar, brown sugar, and hot sauce, then mix in collard greens and reduce heat to low. Bring to a simmer; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until greens are very tender but still have some chew, 60-70 minutes.
• Uncover pot, add beans, and simmer until beans and greens are very tender and liquid is slightly reduced, 15-20 minutes. Season with salt. Serve topped with breadcrumbs.
• Do Ahead
• Collard greens can be cooked 1 day ahead. Let cool in liquid, then cover and chill. Reheat gently over low before adding beans.

SMOKY BUTTER BEANS & GREENS

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in cold running water until it runs clear. Bring a large pan of water to the boil, cook the rice for 20-25 mins, then drain.
• Place a wide, lidded pan over a medium heat with 2 tbsp oil. Add the greens, salt and pepper and cook, with the lid on, stirring frequently, until the greens are lightly steamed and wilted, about 4-5 mins. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, then add the butter beans and cook, stirring, until heated through. Add the remaining oil, then the cumin seeds and smoked paprika. Stir until evenly combined and serve over the cooked rice with a dollop of yogurt, if you like.

SMOKY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• In large pot, bring 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Stir in collard greens. Cook 15 minutes, or until tender; drain.
• Meanwhile, in skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon 7 minutes, or until crisp, turning once. Drain bacon on paper towels; cool and crumble.
• In skillet with bacon drippings,k cook garlic, leeks and peppers 2 minutes. Stir in cooked collard greens and cook 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Transfer mixture to serving platter. Top with crumbled bacon.

SMOKY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the greens, water, smoked salt, and apple cider vinegar. Season the mixture with 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 to 25 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with smoked salt and pepper. Serve immediately with the hot pepper vinegar on the side.
• chiffonade
• Chiffonade is a classic French technique that means thinly slicing an herb, such as basil, or a leafy vegetable, into strands or ribbons. To make chiffonade, stack the leaves one on top of the other, and roll them tightly into a cylinder. Using a chef's knife, slice the cylinder crosswise into thin strips.

SMOKY GREENS WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Heat a high sided skillet over medium high heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil and bacon and crisp bacon. Strip kale from stems while bacon crisps up. Coarsely chop kale and add to the pan to wilt.. Season greens with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg. Scatter in cranberries and stir in stock. Simmer greens 10 minutes over medium low heat to plump cranberries and sweeten greens.