collards & turnip greens

2019-11-29

Collards with bacon is a traditional Southern New Year's dish. I added turnip greens because I had them in the house and they taste similar enough to mix the two.

This recipe is quite easy. The initial tasting may come as a bit of a shock if you haven't ever eaten it before. It is unlike anything I've ever eaten before. But the combination of collards/turnip greens and bacon is an amazing harmony of two very different flavors.

The celery mellowed the sharp peppery overtone these two vegetables usually have and made it considerably more pleasant. I liked this one so much better than what I remembered from previous experiences with collards only.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 4 servings:

1/ lb. package collards
1 lb. package turnip greens
up to 1 lb. bacon, cut small
S&P

optional:

onion + bell pepper mix 1/2 lb.
up to 1/2 head celery

Pic1: collard & turnip greens, bacon, celery

Directions

Sort and wash the leaves. Discard anything wilted or damaged.
Cut away the central stem form each leaf.
Chop the leaves coarsely.
Brown/crisp the bacon. (Pic2)
Add optional onion/bell pepper mix. Sauté until beginning to soften.
Deglaze the pot with 1-2 cups of water.
Add the chopped greens. (Pic3)
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
Add S&P to taste.
I didn't add any. The bacon was salty enough, and the greens are peppery in taste.
Add optional celery.
Simmer 10-15 minutes more. (Pic4)
Adjust seasoning.
Serve and enjoy. (Pic1)

Serving suggestions:

Serve with bread
Serve with corn bread and black-eyed peas to complete the traditional Southern New Year's recipe.

Pic2: bacon
Pic3: greens
Pic4: celery

collards & turnip greens soup

201202019-11-29

The logical next step—as always—is the corresponding soup made with leftovers of the meal.This is very similar to the Portuguese caldo verde minus potatoes and sausages.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 3-4 servings:

3 cups leftovers
water / stock
S&P
bouillon

Pic1: collard & turnip greens soup

Directions

Add up to 2 quarts of water or stock.
Adjust seasoning. (S&P, bouillon)
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
It didn't need more, because everything was already cooked.
Serve and enjoy.

Optional:

Pulse the soup briefly in a blender to chop the leaves more finely. (Pic9-11)
This changes the texture and intensifies the flavors without unifying all the flavors like in a smooth puree.

Pic6: add water / stock
Pic7: boil briefly
Pic8: all done

Pic9: pulse briefly
Pic10: done
Pic11: reheat + serve

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org