I LOVE collard greens. My Father used to grow them in the heart of Jersey City along with watermelon and other beautiful, green plants and veggies. I started eating them as a young child and always loved the salty, savory flavor and the family bonding around a pot of greens. Collard greens have so many benefits such as anti-inflammatory power, cholesterol lowering abilities, fiber, Vitamin K, Calcium and a slew of other goodies. The point is, these green cruciferous leaves are awesome and will do your body some good.
There are a lot of ways you can devour them, stewed, braised, juiced, fresh and crunchy, take your pick! This recipe or “reci-me” is one way I love to prepare them. I smile every time I cook a pot of greens because I always remember being in Jersey City with my dad, as his little girl who loved shadowing him. I prefer not to cook them without any smoked meat (turkey, swine) because smoked meat is gross and full of cancer causing crap, so what would be the point of eating a cancer fighting vegetable along with a cancer causing meat? Personal preference, I know. Here is how I enjoy them, hopefully you will too 🙂
1 Bunch of Beautiful, green crispy Collards
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
4 cups of water
1 1/2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 tbsp. Olive Oil
That’s all you need to make a delicious and nutritious pot of greens. Sauté the onion in olive oil till fragrant, chop up your greens after de-stemming them and add your water and seasoning. Bring the pot to a boil, add your greens and lower it to a nice, steady simmer with the lid slightly over. Simmer the greens for at least 30 minutes, until they are tender to your choosing.
Some people prefer them super soft, but I personally don’t like them too mushy, plus they start to lose some of it’s nutritional power. This ingredient list is more of a starting point, sometimes I like them saltier or use more smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is the real secret ingredient, it is a must have if you are looking for that traditional, southern smoky flavor.
I hope you add some collard greens to your diet, you deserve some awesomeness.
