Best West African Collard Greens Recipes

LIBERIAN STYLE COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a large deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate and crumble.
• Heat collard greens, vegetable oil, water, and chicken bouillon in a large pot over medium heat. Simmer until greens are wilted, about 10 minutes. Stir bacon, peanut butter, liquid smoke, soul food seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper into pot; cover and simmer until greens are very tender and peanut butter begins to separate, about 1 1/2 hours. Add more water if the mixture becomes too dry.
• Stir flounder fillets into greens. Continue to cook until fish breaks down, about 30 minutes more, stirring frequently.

SPICY AFRICAN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Lightly coat a 6-quart stockpot with olive oil spray; heat over medium-high setting.
• Add chopped yellow onions and garlic.
• Sauté until onion is caramelized, about 5 minutes, adding small amounts of broth for moisture as needed.
• Stir in jalapeno and green onions.
• Add greens to the stockpot; mix well.
• Stir in hot water, dried spices and Stevia Plus. (if using)
• Partially cover; reduce heat to low.
• Simmer until greens are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. (Add small amounts of hot water if needed to keep greens from becoming dry.)

COLLARD GREENS WITH TAMARIND

Steps:

• 1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, dried shrimp, garlic and habaneros and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften and start to break down, about 4 minutes. Add the collards, chicken broth, salt and black pepper. When the broth comes to a boil, cover the pan, lower the heat and simmer until the collards are completely tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the tamarind and season with additional salt and pepper.
• 2. Serve with a generous portion of steamed rice.

COLLARD GREEN RICE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook, toasting until the rice begins to smell nutty, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and some House Seasoning. Bring it to a boil; cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and remaining tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, pepper, garlic and a generous pinch of House Seasoning. Cook until just tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the collards and cook until softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Once the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat. Remove the lid and add the onions and collard green mixture. Fluff and stir gently with a fork to combine.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

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.

WEST AFRICAN COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Fry onions and meat until tender.
• Add collards and more oil, fry until heated.
• Crumble Maggi cubes in and mix.
• Serve over rice, with a side of fried plantain. Yum!

WEST AFRICAN-STYLE PEANUT STEW WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken; cook until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Add onion; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
• Stir in broth, tomatoes, sweet potato, collard greens, and red bell peppers; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Return chicken and accumulated juices to the pot. Return to a boil, then stir in peanut butter; simmer until incorporated and chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.