Easy Collard Greens With Ham Hocks Recipes

COLLARD GREENS WITH HAM HOCKS

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil. Add the ham hocks and sear on all sides. Meanwhile, prepare the collards by ripping the leaf away from the spine. Pile the greens on top of each other and cut into long strips; then cut the strips to make squares. Set aside.
• When the ham hocks are lightly browned, add the onions and garlic to the pot; stir and sweat them until the onions are translucent and tender, 2 minutes. Add half of the greens and a cup of stock so the greens begin to wilt. Season with a pinch of salt (which will also help the wilting process) and stir to combine. Then, add the remaining greens and another cup of stock and cover to steam, about 2 minutes. Add 1-2 cups more stock, to just cover the greens and ham hocks. Season with more salt and pepper, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook, 1-1½ hours.
• After 1-1½ hours, use tongs to remove the ham hocks to cool (they'll be falling off the bone). Add another ½ cup of stock, the cane vinegar, and the cane syrup to the greens. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. When the ham hocks have cooled, pull the meat off the bones, chop finely, and add back into the greens. Serve in a bowl with bits of ham hock and plenty of the "potlikker."

COLLARD GREENS WITH HAM HOCKS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and saute until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
• Add chicken stock, water, ham hocks, vinegar, and peppercorns to the pot. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
• Strain solids out of the pot and increase heat to high. Add collards and return to a boil. Add bacon and reduce heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer until greens are tender, about 1 hour.
• Ladle collards into bowls with a little stock and serve.

EASY COLLARD GREENS WITH HAM HOCKS

Steps:

• Place the ham hock in a pot large enough to fit along with water. Add enough water to cover the ham hock. Bring the water to a boil. Cook the ham hock for 45 minutes to an hour until it becomes tender. You may have to keep a close watch and add additional water as the water evaporates.
• While the ham hock cooks, wash your greens. Fill a large bowl or your sink with water. Use your hands and scrub the veins of the leaves to remove any dirt or sand. Wash the greens thoroughly until the water runs clear.
• Remove the stems from the greens and slice the greens into smaller pieces.
• Heat a large pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the pot along with the onions and garlic. I like to use a Dutch oven because you can saute the vegetables and cook the greens all in one pot.
• Saute the onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
• Deglaze the pan by adding the chicken broth.
• Begin to layer in the greens and add them in batches. Greens will need to wilt down a lot in order to fit in the pot. Add in the greens and then stir and allow them to cook down.
• Add in the Creole Seasoning and ham hock. Bring the pot to a boil.
• Place the lid on the pot and adjust the heat to medium-low. Allow the greens to cook for 2 hours or until the greens are soft and the ham hock is tender (fall off the bone tender). Check in throughout the cooking process and stir the greens when necessary.
• Open the pot and remove the ham hock. Shred the meat from the ham hock using forks and return it to the pot. Taste the greens repeatedly and add seasoning and spices if necessary.
• Serve.

SOUTHERN STYLE COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Combine onions, ham hocks, and garlic in a stockpot; add chicken broth. Cook mixture over medium heat until meat is falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
• Stir collard greens, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into the broth mixture; cook until greens have reached desired tenderness, about 2 more hours.