How To Make Slow-Cooked Greens
Last Updated on: 23rd May 2021, 09:45 pm
Did you know that green veggies are one of the healthiest foods around? We all eat cabbage or broccoli but have you ever heard of collard greens? Collard greens can be found in supermarkets, but it is imported from the USA. It isn’t grown in the UK. Collard or collard greens are mustardy cabbage, that contains essential vitamins A, C, B9 and most essentially vitamin K. Vitamin K stops your blood from clotting, as well as healthy heart and bones. Collard green leaves are dark green and fan-like and they have tough stems on them. They belong in the same veggie family as turnips, kale, and mustard greens. This makes them perfect for going in the slow cooker and simmering for a while to make slow-cooked greens
If you cannot find collard greens for the recipe, you can use kale or spring greens. They will make the dish taste just as good. They can be boiled, steamed, or sautéed. In some recipes, raw collard greens are used as well.
Ingredients For Slow-Cooked Greens:
- 2 large bunches of collard greens
- 2 bunches of mustard greens
- 1 smoked turkey leg (cut into pieces), or ham hock (ready cooked)
- Optional: 1 package bacon, cooked and chopped into pieces
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 T. apple cider vinegar
- 2 t. Brown sugar
- Dash of soy sauce
- 1 t. Crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ t. peppercorns
Instructions:
Wash greens well, remove ribs and stems from collards (throw them away). Tear or cut the greens into smaller pieces, to use. You can eat the stem of the greens but they take much longer to cook, so take this into consideration when you are cooking.
Add all of the ingredients (except the meat) to the slow cooker and give them a good stir to make sure they are mixed well.
When it is ready to go on, put it onto low and cook for 8-10 hours or until tender. You can cook it on high for 4-6 hours if you are in a rush. But cooking for longer will make it more tender and taste better.
If you used a turkey leg that is cut into smaller bits, then your dinner is ready to eat now. If you used a ham hock, remove it and shred the meat. Add it to the greens and mix it in well. Serve the slow-cooked greens as a small meal or a warming snack. You can even take it in a packed lunch box for a quick work meal.
