by Sometimes, you want to make a delicious dish that one of your friends might enjoy and sometimes, you just want to eat collard greens. I’m just going to be straight with you. If you want to impress your friend and show them how much you care about them, collard greens are a great dish because it’s heartwarming, delicious, and beautiful. But if you just want to make something that satisfies your craving for sweet leafy greens then I have the answer.
In fact, this is one of the simplest methods out there because all we need is a pot of boiling water and some chopped up raw collard greens which take less than 45 seconds to cook.
Collard greens are similar to kale in that they too have an abundance of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium and folacin. They are an excellent green that is commonly recommended by doctors. If you love this and wish to make them at home, this article should be right up your alley. They are definitely worth the effort, in my humble opinion.
Collard Greens How to Cook?
Collard greens are a very popular leafy green that grows in the U.S. and Africa. The leaves are broad, with crinkly edges and soft, fleshy stems.
Collards are great for picking, storing and eating. Their texture is more like a lettuce than as hard as kale. They are a member of the same family as cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts. The greens are used in many recipes and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked with rice, baked chicken or fish, bacon or ham and eggs.
The raw leaves can be used to wrap other foods such as cheese or meat when cooking or grilling the foods over coals.
Collard Greens are an excellent source of iron and vitamins A, C and K that can help promote bone health. They also provide a good dose of energy.
How to pick the best collard greens?
Collards should be crisp and unbruised, with excellent color. Avoid any with yellowed leaves, or any other signs of wilting. Look to see that the stems are tight and have no soft spots.
How To Select the best colloped greens for freezing?
Choose firm, not limp greens. The older the leaves the tougher they will be after freezing. Opt for young, tender leaves when possible; look for rich green colour before it turns dark green or purple-red.
How to store Collard Greens
Collards can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight plastic or paper bag. The loose outer leaves can be trimmed off.
How to Cook Collard Greens?
Simple greens are the most balanced source of food and vitamins. To make them more nutritious, add various spices and herbs to your collards. Use a little olive oil or fat-free cooking spray to keep the leaves crisp.
Ingredients
For the simplest, but still delicious, preparation for collard greens, grab a short list of ingredients:
- 1 bunch collard greens
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Prepping the collard greens for cooking
Step 1: Wash the collard greens before cooking.
Step 2: Cut off any tough stems from the leaves. Cut the leaves into strips with a sharp knife or chef’s knife.
Step 3: Wash them again under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. Gently pat them dry with paper towels. If they are beginning to wilt, put them back in a bowl of cold water until they feel firm again.
Step 4: Put the collard greens in a large bowl and add the garlic, oil and salt and pepper. Mix well.
Step 5: Transfer them to the pot. Pour about 1/4 of a cup of boiling water over each bunch. You should be able to hold your hand over the top of the pot for 12 seconds or so; it should have no sign of steam.
Step 6: Put the lid on the pot and set the heat to medium. Cook for 15 minutes, reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes more.
Serving collard greens
Collards taste great when they are fresh out of the pot, but they can be kept in your refrigerator for up to three days. They freeze very well as well, so feel free to freeze some of them after you’re done cooking them. Do not prepare them in advance because they become soggy when frozen.
How do you get the bitterness out of collard greens?
Bitter, not bitter. There are several ways to remove the bitterness that some people experience in collard greens, but the simplest and most effective is simple to remember and easy to do: place them into a pot of cold water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and cook them at a simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until they are tender.
What to serve with collard greens?
Collard greens are excellent on their own or with a few classic side dishes that can enhance the taste and nutrition. This group of recipes will make some of the best sides to serve :
The Best Side Dish Ever? | Collards with Bacon and Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette It is safe to say that this recipe is one of my favorites. This side dish is so simple, yet so hearty and delicious. I adore maple syrup with collard greens, and adding them to a citrus vinaigrette is a great way to make them even more nutritious and delicious.
Try these recipes too!
What Are the health benefits of Collard Greens?
Collards are packed with vitamins A, C and K that can help promote bone health. They also provide a good dose of energy. Finally, they contain plenty of fiber and low levels of saturated fat which helps lower the risk of heart disease.
I hope that you enjoy these recipe and that they make your collard green making experience more enjoyable and successful.
