Fresh Cooking With Collard Greens

More tolerant of summer heat than it's trendy cousin kale, and more cold resistant than cabbage, Collard Greens are one of the oldest Brassica or cabbage family varieties, and easiest to grow year round in the home garden. While for many of us, the mention of collard greens conjures up the aroma of bacon, and images of pots simmering on a backburner all Sunday afternoon, there are fresher, faster, healthier ways to prepare this hearty leafy green. Here are three of our favorites...

Stuffed Collard Greens
By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN

1 large bunch collard greens (about 1 1/2 pounds), stemmed

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 large red or yellow onion, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, green shoots removed, minced

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon sugar

3/4 cup rice, either medium-grain or basmati, rinsed well in several changes of water

2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts (to taste)

1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes, drained (retain juice)

2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup currants or dark raisins (to taste)

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground allspice berries

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 cups water

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Juice of 1 lemon

1 lemon, sliced thin (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you carefully stem the collard greens, trying to keep the leaves intact. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the collard leaves in batches. Blanch two minutes and transfer to the ice water. Drain, gently squeeze out excess water and set aside.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat in a large lidded skillet, and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic, salt and sugar, and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about a minute. Add the rice and pine nuts, and stir together until the rice is coated with oil. Stir in the tomatoes, currants, cinnamon, allspice and salt and pepper to taste. Stir together, and add 1 cup water or enough to barely cover the rice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Allow to sit for 10 minutes without disturbing. Stir in the mint and dill.

3. Oil a wide, deep, lidded sauté pan or saucepan with olive oil. To fill the leaves, place one on your work surface, vein side up and with the stem end facing you. The leaf may have a big space in the middle where you stemmed it; if so, pull the two sides of the leaf in towards each other and overlap them slightly. Place about 1 level tablespoon of filling on the bottom center of each leaf. Fold the sides over, then roll up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. Place seam side down in the pan, fitting the stuffed leaves in snug layers. Drizzle on the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and pour on the lemon juice. Barely cover with water, and top with a layer of lemon slices.

4. Cover the stuffed leaves with a round of parchment paper, and place a plate over the paper to weight them during cooking. This will keep them from opening. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour until the leaves are tender. Remove from the heat, and carefully remove the dolmades from the water with a slotted spoon or tongs. Allow to drain on a rack set over a sheet pan. Serve warm or cold.

Yield: About two dozen stuffed leaves.

Advance preparation: These keep well for three or four days in the refrigerator.

Martha Rose Shulman can be reached at martha-rose-shulman.com.

Braised Greens with Tomatoes
 

Provided By Food & Wine

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 clove(s) garlic, minced
• 1 large jalapeño, seeded and sliced
• 2 pound(s) sturdy greens, such as chard mustard greens kale or young collards, stems and inner ribs removed leaves coarsely chopped
•   Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 pint(s) grape tomatoes, halved
• 3/4 cup(s) water
• 2 tablespoon(s) white wine vinegar

Directions

• 1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 6 minutes.
• 2. Add the greens, season with salt and pepper and toss to wilt. Stir in the tomatoes, water and vinegar, cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender and the tomatoes are soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Sauteed Collard Greens

By Del Zimmerman, Bellaire TX

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds collard greens
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste

Preparation

Remove and discard stems and center ribs of collard greens. Cut leaves into 1-inch pieces. In a kettle of boiling water cook collards 15 minutes and drain in a colander, pressing out excess liquid with back of a wooden spoon.

Mince garlic. In a 12-inch heavy skillet heat butter and oil over moderately high heat until foam subsides and stir in garlic, collards, and salt and pepper to taste. Sauté collard mixture, stirring, until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Drizzle collards with lemon juice and toss well.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Collard-Greens-15805#ixzz2iNhnWn9C