Best Wilted Greens Recipes

WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water. Trim and discard the greens tough stems, tear the leaves into pieces and wash them in the water. (If the greens are very dirty wash them in several changes of water.) Lift the greens from the water, and put them in a colander to drain. Set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until browned and its fat has rendered, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the scallions and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the greens in batches, starting with the tougher greens, like kale, and ending with the more tender ones, like chard, stirring each batch as they wilt, before adding more. Add 1/2 cup water and cook, covered, stirring once or twice, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

WILTED GREENS WITH BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place romaine in a serving bowl. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and crumble over greens. To the pan, add sugar and vinegar, and simmer until sugar is dissolved, scraping up bacon bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour hot dressing over greens and toss. Serve immediately.

SOY-BUTTER BASTED SCALLOPS WITH WILTED GREENS AND SESAME

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200 degrees. Season the scallops well with salt and pepper. Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and, when it shimmers, add the scallops. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes, until they begin to brown and form a crust on the bottom.
• Flip the scallops, add the butter and soy sauce to the pan and use a spoon to repeatedly drizzle the sauce over the tops of the scallops to finish cooking, 1 to 2 minutes more.
• Set the scallops on an oven-safe plate and pour the butter mixture on top. Place the plate in the oven to keep the scallops warm while you finish the rest of the dish.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil to the skillet and heat over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is pale golden, about 2 minutes, adding a teaspoon or so more of grapeseed oil if needed. Return the heat to medium-high and add the spinach, in batches, if needed, and season with salt. Toss until the spinach wilts, adding a few teaspoons of water to help it along, if needed, and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat.
• Add the scallops back to the pan and pour any residual butter-sauce over top. Drizzle the dish with sesame oil and a good squeeze of lime. Top with scallions and sesame seeds, if using, and serve with rice.

WARM WILTED WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• Cook honey and balsamic together over medium-high heat in a large saute pan, about 5 minutes. Toast walnuts in a small skillet; set aside to cool.
• Pile greens on a platter. Stir mustard into balsamic-honey dressing, then whisk in about 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; pour over greens. Season greens with salt and pepper and garnish with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, shavings of Parmesan, and shallot.

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.

WILTED GREENS WITH BACON

Steps:

• Trim and chop 2 bunches dandelion greens, watercress or baby kale. Cook 3 slices chopped bacon until crisp; transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Add 1 each sliced garlic clove and shallot to the drippings; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar; stir until dissolved. Add the greens in batches, tossing to wilt. Season with salt and pepper; top with the bacon.

ROASTED POTATOES AND ONIONS WITH WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Cut potatoes in half (quarter any larger potatoes). In a shallow baking pan toss potatoes and onion slices with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast potatoes and onions in middle of oven, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and tender, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer hot potatoes and onions to a bowl. Add spinach or arugula, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste, tossing until greens are wilted.
• Serve dish warm or at room temperature.

WILTED AUTUMN GREENS WITH HONEY MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Peel the squash: First cut into two cross sections, scrape out the seeds, and place the squash, flat side down, on a cutting board. Work around the squash with a sharp knife or peeler, making sure to remove the layer of lighter colored flesh under the skin as well as the skin. Dice into 1/2-inch cubes to make about 1 cup (reserve any leftovers for another use).
• Arrange the diced squash and pears on a baking sheet and toss with the oil. Roast until browned, about 20 minutes; set aside at room temperature.
• Make a cross slit on the rounded end of each chestnut with a sharp paring knife. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes, or until the cut sections on the bottoms of the nuts just start to curl. Peel the chestnuts as soon as they are cool enough to handle, as they will peel the easiest when hot. Cut into quarters and set aside.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Wrap the shallots in parchment paper and then in aluminum foil. Bake until tender and slightly caramelized, about 1 hour. Once the shallots are cool enough to handle, chop coarsely and set aside.
• To make the vinaigrette: In a large sauté pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy; transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve the fat in the pan. Once the fat has cooled slightly, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup that has a spout. in a blender or food processor, combine the mustard, honey, vinegar, thyme, and pepper and blend for 30 seconds. Slowly add the strained warm bacon fat and the oil through the cap of the blender or the feed tube of a food processor, blending until thoroughly combined Pour the vinaigrette into a large mixing bowl.
• Add the squash and pears, chestnuts, shallots, bacon, komatsuna, tatsoi, and mustard greens to the mixing bowl and toss with the warm vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

WILTED DANDELION GREENS SALAD

Steps:

• Wash dandelion greens thoroughly; drain and place in a large salad bowl. Chill. , Meanwhile, in a skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of drippings. , For dressing, combine eggs, vinegar, sugar and enough water to make 1 cup. Beat well; pour into the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Pour over greens and toss well. Sprinkle with chopped eggs and crumbles bacon; toss lightly. Serve immediately.

TUSCAN CHICKEN WITH WHITE BEANS AND WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Arrange onions, fennel and garlic in bottom of slow cooker. Place beans on top of vegetables. Pour over chicken broth.
• Season chicken all over with salt and pepper and place on top of vegetables and beans in the slow cooker. Sprinkle rosemary over chicken. Place roasted red pepper slices on top of chicken. Arrange Swiss chard all around chicken.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
• Slice bread and grill or toast, then drizzle with olive oil. Rub hot bread with garlic clove and serve with meal.

WILTED COLLARDS GREENS WITH BACON AND ONION

Steps:

• Turn an eye on the stove to medium heat.
• In a large sauté pan or stock pot, cook the chopped bacon for a few minutes until some grease is rendered, then, toss in the onion. Cook this until onion becomes tender. DO NOT DRAIN!
• Next, throw the collard greens into the bacon and onion and carefully stir a little (it will seem like there are too many collard greens, but they cook down very quickly).
• Pour in the chicken stock and the water.
• Add the optional seasonings (pepper, seasoning salt and vinegar).
• Cover the pan and cook on medium to medium high. You will see the collards begin to wilt rather quickly.
• Continue cooking until all of the liquid is gone, stirring occasionally. (This normally takes me about 20 minutes.).
• Try the collards and if they are not as tender as you would like, simply add 1/4 cup of water at a time until they reach the desired tenderness.

WILTED MUSTARD GREENS

Steps:

• Cook mustard greens in 2 batches in a 6 to 8 quart pot of boiling salted water, stirring to submerge, until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl of cold water to stop cooking. Drain greens in a colander, pressing to squeeze out excess moisture, then coarsely chop.
• Cook garlic in butter in a 4 to 6 quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring until softened, about 2 minutes. Add boiled greens, salt and pepper and cook, covered stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5 minutes.

CHICKEN IN RED WINE SAUCE WITH ROOT VEGETABLES AND WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Combine 3 tablespoons oil and next 7 ingredients in large bowl. Cover; refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally. Using tongs, remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken on paper towels and pat dry; sprinkle with salt. Reserve marinade.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts, skin side down, and cook until brown, about 3 minutes per side; transfer to plate. Add thighs to same pot, skin side down; cook until first side is brown, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with flour. Turn over and cook until second side is brown, about 3 minutes. Add reserved marinade, 1 cup chicken stock and beef stock; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until chicken thighs are almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add chicken breasts. Cover and simmer until all chicken is tender and cooked through, about 12 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to large skillet. Boil sauce in pot until thick enough to coat spoon, about 15 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper; strain sauce over chicken. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool chicken slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over low heat before serving.)
• Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots and parsnips and sauté 3 minutes, tossing to coat with butter. Add remaining 1/3 cup chicken stock; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover; simmer until juices thicken to glaze, about 3 minutes.
• Mound Wilted Greens in center of 4 plates. Top each with 1 chicken thigh, 1 chicken breast and red wine sauce, then carrots and parsnips, and serve.

GINGER SEA BASS OVER WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Cut 4 (12-inch-square pieces) of aluminum foil. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Working with 1 foil sheet at a time, place the foil sheets on the work surface. Place 1 1/2 cups of spinach in the center of each foil sheet. Top with a sea bass fillet. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of ginger and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic, then drizzle 2 tablespoons of Marsala, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil over the fish and spinach. Gather the foil sheets over the fish. Fold in the foil edges and pinch tightly to seal. Place the foil packages on a heavy large baking sheet.
• Bake until the spinach wilts and the fish is just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the packages to wide shallow bowls. Cool 5 minutes. Open package and fold down to reveal fish, being careful of hot steam. Squeeze the lime juice over the fish. Sprinkle with the basil and serve.

KIMCHI NOODLE SOUP WITH WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook udon according to package instructions. Drain and distribute evenly among serving bowls.
• In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the scallions, ginger and garlic, and cook until they begin to soften and the garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Season well with salt.
• Stir in the kimchi and kimchi juice and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the stock and the soy sauce sauce and stir together to combine. Bring to a simmer and stir in your greens. Allow everything to simmer until the greens are tender and the flavors have come together, 5 to 10 minutes. Taste and adjust with salt if needed.
• Ladle the soup over the udon and garnish with scallions and other toppings to taste.

WILTED MUSTARD GREENS SALAD WITH BACON

Steps:

• Wash the mustard greens, spin them dry, and put them in a large heatproof bowl. In a skillet heat the oil with the mustard seeds, covered partially to keep the seeds from popping out, over moderate heat for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the popping subsides, add the onion, and cook the mixture, stirring, until the onion is softened. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the vinegar, and bring the mixture to a boil. Drizzle the dressing immediately over the mustard greens and toss the salad. Add the bacon and salt and pepper to taste and toss the salad well.

WILTED GREENS OVER POTATOES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring greens and 2 cups water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-8 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside. , In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, discarding drippings. , In a small bowl, combine flour and sugar; stir in the milk, salt and remaining water until smooth. Pour into skillet and bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Add the vinegar, greens and bacon; heat through. Serve over mashed potatoes.

SPICY BEANS WITH WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook anchovies, if using, chiles, and garlic, stirring occasionally, until garlic is soft and anchovies are dissolved, about 4 minutes. Add onion, celery, and rosemary; season with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
• Add Parmesan rind, if using, beans, and 10 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally and adding more water as needed, until beans are beginning to fall apart, 3-4 hours.
• Lightly crush some beans to give stew a creamy consistency. Mix in kale, spinach, and half of arugula; season with salt and pepper. Cook until greens are wilted, 5-8 minutes.
• Toss remaining arugula with lemon juice and 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Divide stew among bowls; top with arugula, shaved Parmesan, and a drizzle of oil.
• DO AHEAD: Stew can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

WILTED GREENS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add all greens and stock. Cover and cook until greens wilt, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Uncover; cook until juices thicken slightly, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

WILTED DANDELION GREENS WITH SWEET ONION

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden and has caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally,2 minutes. Add vinegar; cook until vinegar is warm, about 1 minute.
• Add dandelion greens, and toss to combine. Cook until greens have just wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.