How To Clean Collard Greens With Baking Soda

Collard Greens 101: Beginner-Friendly

Everything you need to know to set a pot of The All-time Southern Collard Greens Ever!

Visual learner? Watch the full How To Brand  Collard Greens Tutorial Step-by-Pace!

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Growing up in the Southern mountains meant consuming fresh-grown greens of all kinds like mustard, turnip, collard, kale, spinach, and yep even dandelion and beet greens. Even to this day, my Grandma Barb's garden flourishes with greens of all kinds, and I just love "shopping" there.  It's impossible to get out her house without hearing "Have something from the garden."

My favorite greens go along to exist collard greens! There is but something about those thick, dark leaves when prepared Southern-way that warms my soul! Since Fall is right around the corner, I've decided to plant my own heirloom collard greens. Perhaps I'll practice a post on how to institute collard greens if this crop survives. Until then, I'll go along shopping for greens from the Farmers Market place and Grandma's house!

Collard greens are such an incredible plant full of nutrients, flavor, and a rich history!

Earlier we get into creating  THE All-time collard greens recipe, grab a glass of sweet tea, and permit's learn a little well-nigh these powerhouse greens!

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What are collard greens?

Collard greens are a fellow member of the cabbage family. This is like shooting fish in a barrel to tell from the similar smell of them cooking. Since they practice not form a compact head like cabbage, they are chosen greens. The same goes for kale, spinach, turnip, and mustard greens. Collard greens have big, sturdy light-green leaves and hearty, thick stems. They can be eaten raw or cooked.

What do Southern Collard Greens gustatory modality like?

When people tell me that they don't like collard greens, ane of my first questions is, "Really? Well how were they fabricated?"  I've converted my share of collard green haters with this recipe. Ya see they'd simply had collard greens raw, sauteed, or simmered in water. Collard greens prepared Southern style is an entirely different animal and then addictive! This collard green recipe is LOADED with flavor! It's slightly spicy, smoky, salty, vinegary, and then savory! The broth is bold and rich, and the greens are so tender after simmering away in all of those flavors.

Wellness Benefits of Collard Greens

Are collard greens healthy? Y'all bet they are! Collard greens are loaded with nutrients! Their dark green leaves and stems are total of chlorophyll which contains vitamins and minerals. Collard greens are rich in fe, magnesium, calcium,  potassium, vitamins A, C, & K.  If that wasn't enough to encourage y'all to include these nutritious greens in your diet, they also contain fiber to help digestion and lower cholesterol. Not to mention they are full of antioxidants and are depression-glycemic. Collard greens are the new kale, honey!  They are increasing in popularity that goes way across the South. If you'd like to include collard greens in your everyday menu, meet the very bottom of this post for a healthier yet nevertheless soulful take on Southern collard greens.

A Brief History of Collard Greens

Collard greens are a staple vegetable here in the south.  And so much then that South Carolina decided to brand collard greens their official country vegetable! Information technology's no secret that Southerners love their collard greens, but where did collard greens come from? Collard greens date back to prehistoric times and are ane of the oldest members of the cabbage family. It's said that collard greens originated near Greece. They eventually made their way to the American S through the transatlantic slave trade. Although collard greens are prepared in many ways, Southern-style collard greens were created by the enslaved Africans. Collard greens were one of the few vegetables that some enslaved Africans were immune to grow in their personal gardens for their own families.

The African slaves created savory pots of greens by cooking them down until very tender.  They would utilize the leftover scraps from the plantation kitchen to add together to the greens, which unremarkably consisted of meat scarps like pig feet and turnip tops.

The rich broth-like gravy that accumulates later on cooking the greens were called pot likkur, and the African slaves would drink this flavorful broth as nourishment. This "gravy" is what makes collard greens such a comforting dish that has cemented itself into Southern cuisine. This "slave dish" made its way into Southern cuisine when slaves begin cooking information technology for their slave-owner's families. Read more about the history of Southern foods in my article " Southern Cooking 101

Liquid Gold AKA Collard Greenish Pot Likkur

It'southward impossible to talk nigh Southern collard greens without mentioning one of the all-time features, the pot likkur! As mentioned above, pot likkur is the rich, savory broth-like gravy created when you wearisome melt a pot of collard greens.  The base of the pot likkur is usually water or chicken or vegetable broth. I prefer chicken broth. It creates such a rich and flavor pot likkur!  The pot liquor is this collard green recipe and so delicious because information technology's been slowly simmering with the collards, onion, garlic, crimson pepper flakes, and meat! It's full of nutrients from the collard greens and seriously delicious enough to drink on its own.

What can I add pot likkur to? If you make up one's mind to increase the liquid in the recipe so that you have a lot of savory pot likkur there are many means that you tin use it to enhance other dishes! Use it any way that you would employ regular goop. I similar to add it to mashed potatoes, brown gravy and too use information technology for cooking my rice in! Information technology's a real treasure.

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How To Cook Collard Greens: Southern, Soul Nutrient Style

At present that yous've learned all about this fabulous, food-rich plant! Let'southward brand a pot of the all-time collard greens e'er. This collard greens recipe is super simple, and they simply might get your favorite greens too!

Come across The Bandage: Collard Green Recipe Ingredients:

• Fresh Collard Greens– Purchase from the Farmers Market or Organic if possible. Make sure that the leaves look healthy, greenish, and full.
• Onion- Yellow onions will add together flavor to the greens.
• Garlic– Garlic will compliment the flavor of the onion and greens.
• Cherry Pepper Flakes– Cherry-red Pepper flakes will add together some slight heat to the greens.
• Fully-Cooked Smoked Turkey Leg- This is the best alternative for those who prefer not to use pork. The smoked turkey leg volition add flavor and smokiness to the greens. If you prefer pork, use ham hocks or thick-cut cooked bacon.
• Chicken Goop- Chicken broth creates a richer, more flavorful broth. Water tin be used in place of broth or a mixture of craven broth & water.
• Seasoning( Black pepper, Smoked Applewood salt, and Distilled white vinegar)– These seasonings will enhance the flavors of the finished greens. Resulting in a assuming, flavorful pot of savory collard greens that are smoky, slightly spicy, and a tad salty and vinegary! Perfection!

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Footstep 1: Remove Stems:

How to remove the stems from collard greens

Now that you lot accept a bunch of fresh collard greens, nosotros desire to remove the stem. The stems can be pretty bitter, so this is why about people prefer to remove and discard them. However, they are also loaded with nutrients. If you lot'd like to eat the stems, I propose cooking them separately since they will take much longer to cook and become tender. Below are two common methods to remove the leaf from the stem.

Method 1.  Fold the leaf in one-half length-wise and cut out the stem with a knife or tear it away from the stem using your easily. *I adopt to tear them off the stem.

Method 2. Hold the stem at the lesser with i paw and slide your other hand firmly up the stem, removing the foliage. (This seems to piece of work best for small tender leaves.)

Step ii: Wash

How to wash collard greens

The very first fourth dimension I fabricated fresh collard greens, I gave them a quick rinse and threw them right into the pot. Big. MISTAKE. I was met with a mouth full of grittiness! Yikes! Fresh collard greens are known to exist full of dirt, grit, and sometimes bugs. Proper washing is e'er required. I similar to do the soak and scrub method. It ensures that the collard greens are thoroughly clean.  While you can clean your greens with plain water, I find that creating a quick and easy cleaning solution makes this procedure much quicker! Here's how to properly wash collard greens.

1. Fill your sink with water, and and then add one/2 loving cup distilled white vinegar and 3 tablespoons table salt. (this volition not impact the flavor of the greens)
2. Classy this around, and and then submerged your greens in the water. Agitate the greens while scrubbing and swishing them around in the water to loosen up whatsoever dirt.
3. Let the greens soak for 20-30 minutes, giving them a skillful scrub midway. The vinegar and salt volition help loosen & remove whatsoever dirt, grit and bring out any bugs hiding in the greens.
4. Drain the water and soak over again in plain water (i-2 times)  if the water is muddied and gritty.  Finally, to be sure your greens are squeaky make clean, drain the water and wash and gently scrub each foliage front and dorsum by manus.  You'll thank yourself for making sure the greens were thoroughly cleaned when you gustation the results!

Step 3: Cutting

How to cut collard greens

Now that nosotros have squeaky make clean collard greens, it's time to cutting them up into bite-size pieces. To practise this, yous can:

A. Stack several leaves on elevation of each other and roll them up lengthwise. Using a knife, cut the rolls into strips. Or…

B. Simply tear the greens into bite-size pieces with your hands.

I prefer method B! I grab several leaves and just rip them upwardly into pocket-size pieces. This mode is actually quicker for me, and I like the imperfect pieces that it creates. Also, someday I can touch my food while preparing information technology, it merely seems to gustation better!

Pace 4: Cook

How to Cook THE All-time Collard Greens, Southern -Fashion

At present comes the fun function! Time to prepare our collard greens! This collard greens recipe creates the BEST pot of Southern Collard greens! The upshot is tender, savory greens total of soul, and my family simply loves them! I hope you and your family will as well! Allow'due south get started!

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil. Once hot, add in onions and cook until tender. Next, add together in garlic and blood-red pepper flakes. Onions and garlic add together then much flavor and savoriness to collard greens, and the reddish pepper flakes add together a wonderfully spicy boot.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and add the fully-cooked smoked turkey leg to the pot. Collard greens can be fabricated with h2o, simply chicken goop adds so much richness and flavor forth with the smoked turkey. Information technology's a winning combination that makes the collard green downright addictive!
3. Bring to a boil, and then add the greens to the pot. The greens will begin to cook down quickly.
4. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for i hour or until desired texture is reached. Stirring it several times while cooking. I prefer my collard greens super tender merely non mushy. It'due south really hard to overcook collard greens, though. Check on them after the 45-minute mark, giving them a taste examination to bank check for compactness. I melt my collard greens with the hat on, which helps them melt a bit quicker.
5. Add seasonings. When the greens are done, requite the goop and the greens a taste. Add seasonings to enhance the season if needed. I ever add in a trivial bit of Applewood smoked salt, cracked black pepper, and distilled white vinegar. Chop upward the smoked turkey leg and add together it back to the pot if desired.

And that'due south it!! You accept simply created one astonishing pot of Southern soul food collard greens!! Don't forget to make a batch of cornbread on the side!

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Southern Collard Greens

How to brand the all-time Southern Collard Greens! Full of flavorful ingredients and like shooting fish in a barrel to make

Class Side Dish, Vegetable

Cuisine American, southern

Keyword craven broth, collard greens, greens, smoked turkey leg

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 2 hours

Servings 5 people

Calories

Collard Greens Wash Solution

• ▢ 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• ▢ 3 tablespoons salt

Southern Collard Greens

• ▢ ii bunches fresh collard greens (run across note)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon actress virgin olive oil
• ▢ ½ cup finely diced onions
• ▢ i tablespoon minced garlic
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cherry pepper flakes
• ▢ iv-v cups chicken goop (can replace one cup with water if desired)
• ▢ ane fully-cooked smoked turkey leg or wing (about thirteen oz)
• ▢ one tablespoon white distilled vinegar
• ▢ Applewood smoked salt & blackness pepper, to flavor

Prep The Collard Greens

• Prepare the collard greens bathroom by filling your kitchen sink with absurd h2o and adding vinegar and salt.

• Remove the collard greens from the steams by folding them in one-half lengthwise and pulling the leaf away from the stem. (discard the stem or see note beneath on how to cook them)

• Place the collard greens into the prepared h2o bath and swish them around several times, scrubbing them to help loosen up any dirt.

• Let the collard greens soak for 15-xx minutes, giving them a scrub midway. Drain the h2o and refill with plain water and permit the greens to soak again if needed. Repeat as many times equally needed until the water is gratis from whatsoever clay or grit. After the concluding soak, drain the h2o. Side by side, rinse and scrub each leaf front and back with cool h2o to ensure they are squeaky make clean.

• Tear the greens into bite-sized pieces and set them bated.

Melt The Greens

• In a large pot, oestrus olive oil. Add onions and saute until tender.

• Add garlic and ruddy pepper flakes and cook until garlic is fragrant.

• Pour in the broth and add together the turkey leg. Bring to a eddy.

• Add collard greens and reduce oestrus to a simmer.

• Comprehend and melt collard for ane hr (or longer depending on your desired tenderness), stirring regularly.

• Once done, stir and then taste the broth and the greens. (add a little water if the broth is too bold for your liking)

• Stir in vinegar and smoked salt, and black pepper if desired.

• Serve collard greens with pieces of the smoked turkey leg and hot sauce if desired.

How much is a "agglomeration"? This recipe uses ii bunches which were roughly under 2 lbs each earlier removing the stems. (There were about xx leaves in each bunch. If you buy your whole collard dark-green leaves from the grocery store, they are normally already in a bunch)  After removing the stems, the leaves weighed a trivial over 1.5 pounds.

To cook the collard greenish stems: Die them up and add them to a pot of h2o or broth. Simmer until very tender. Eat equally is or stir it into the collard greens or other dishes.

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What to Serve With Collard Greens

This collard greens recipe can be served as a complete meal or as a side dish! Y'all tin can serve collard greens with hot sauce and additional vinegar. It pairs well with a side of cornbread and a drinking glass of Southern ice tea! Collard greens make the perfect side dish for Soul food dinners or served with whatever yous'd ordinarily serve with cabbage. Hither are a few dinner menus to apply with collard greens:

• Carte du jour Idea #1: Oven-baked beef ribs, irish potato salad, and collard greens.
• Menu Idea #ii: Fried craven, macaroni & cheese, candied yams, cornbread, and collard greens
• Menu Idea #3:Cheeseburger meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and collard greens

Common Questions Nearly Collard Greens

What takes the bitterness out of collard greens? Collard greens cooked Southern-mode aren't as bitter. The salt reduces this equally well equally the other ingredients. Calculation a pinch of baking soda and carbohydrate tin too reduce the bitterness.

How long tin yous consume leftover collard greens? Cooked collard greens will terminal 3-iv days in the fridge.

How much is a bunch of collard greens? A bunch is unremarkably near 20 whole big leaves or a little over 1.v- 2 lbs (before stems are removed). If you purchase whole collard greens from the store, they are usually already in a bunch.  For this recipe, y'all'll need 2 bunches; when the stems are removed, y'all'll have roughly over 1.5 pounds. This will exist enough to serve well-nigh 4-5 people.

Can yous eat the stems of collard dark-green? Absolutely! The stems are tough and slightly bitter. Cooking them makes them more palatable. (see beneath)

Are collard green stems salubrious? Yes! The stem contains the same bounty of nutrients as the leaves.

How do you lot cook collard green stems? Remove the stalk from the leaf and chop it into pieces. Simmer the stems in seasoned water or broth until tender.  Eat them equally is or mix them into other dishes.

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A Lighter Alternative

How To Brand Completely Healthy Everyday Collard Greens

Southern-Way Collard Greens is a special occasion side dish and not the only way to bask delicious collard greens! If you're looking to add healthier collard greens to your weekly carte du jour, try preparing them this way:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot and add diced onions and diced red bell peppers. Melt until tender and add together minced garlic and blood-red pepper flakes.
2. Season warm spring water with a nuance of liquid aminos, nutritional yeast pulverisation, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasonings, blackness pepper,  lemon juice, and salt (if desired). Taste and adjust seasonings until information technology has a nice flavor. Pour liquid into the pot and bring to a boil.
3. Add together prepared greens (greens should accept stems removed, wash and torn into pieces). Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for ane hour or until greens are tender.
4. Taste and add boosted seasonings like vinegar, salt, and pepper if needed.

Vegan Southern Collard Greens

Going vegan does not mean sacrificing Southern-Style Collard Greens! Cheque out my tutorial beneath for a vegan collard greens recipe. Vegan collard greens use fresh collard greens, onion, garlic vegetable broth, and smoked salt to replicate the smokiness from meat.

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Resources:

WebMD

What's Cooking America

Collard Greens

Source: https://divascancook.com/collard-greens-recipe/

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