Mixed Greens Recipe Soul Food

SOUL FOOD TURNIP GREENS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large stock pot.
• Add onions and red peppers.
• Cook until tender and then add garlic.
• Cook garlic until fragrant and golden.
• Stir in chicken broth, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and diced smoked turkey.
• Taste broth and season with salt & black pepper. Broth should taste very well seasoned and delicious.
• Let broth simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add turnips greens to pot and allow them to cook down slightly.
• Stir, cover and simmer for 1 hour (stirring occasionally)
• Remove lid and taste to adjust seasonings again. (I usually add a bit more salt, black pepper and hot sauce)
• Stir in baking soda and liquid smoke. (this will help further lessen the bitterness)
• Cover and simmer for an additional 10- 20 minutes or until greens are tender to your liking.
• Serve hot.

PERFECT MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Pull the leaf portions of the collard, mustard, and turnip greens away from the tough stems, and discard the stems. Gently wash the greens in warm water to remove all soil and sand. Partially fill a clean sink with warm water, and stir in 3 tablespoons of salt and 2 cups of chicken broth; allow greens to soak in the mixture for 10 minutes. Scoop up the greens and allow to drain in a colander; discard used chicken broth. Do not rinse the greens.
• Pour the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth into a large pot, and mix in the greens. Stir in vegetable oil, garlic, bacon bits, and sugar, and season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the greens are tender, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN GREENS (MUSTARD, TURNIP OR COLLARDS)

Steps:

• Fill sink with cold water.
• Put in greens, making sure they have room to float.
• The greens will rise to the top, while the dirt will sink.
• Let greens sit in water for about 20 minutes.
• Scoop out greens being careful not to stir up the dirt on bottom.
• If they still look dirty, change water and repeat process.
• Finish the cleaning by rinsing under running water.
• Tear greens into pieces, throwing away thick veins and stems.
• In a large pot, heat the bacon grease over med-high.
• Add the greens and toss well with bacon grease for a couple of minutes.
• Add ham stock, salt and pepper and sugar and stir.
• Cover and simmer gently until very tender (DO NOT BOIL).
• As the greens cook, they will produce a lot of liquid that will cook down. Add water as needed to prevent burning, but only use what is necessary so your pot liquor won't be watered down.
• Cook time will vary but usually about 3 hours The flavor of collards is much better if you can cook for about 6 hours.

CHEF SCOTT'S KICKIN' MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir bacon in hot oil until crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove bacon from pot, crumble, and return to the pot. Add onion to the bacon; cook and stir until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into the bacon mixture; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add collard greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens; cook and stir until the greens start to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour chicken broth into the pot; season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover pot with a lid, and cook at a simmer until the greens are tender, about 45 minutes.

MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Wash the greens well, picking them over to remove any brown spots or blemishes. Drain well. Discard the discolored outer leaves and cut out the thick ribs. Tear the greens into pieces. Place the bacon strips in a large heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat until it is translucent and the bottom of the pan is coated with the rendered bacon fat. Add the greens and the water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook until the greens are tender, about 2 hours. Add the seasonings and serve hot. Top with traditional accompaniments, if desired.;

SOUTHERN COOKED GREENS

Steps:

• In a large pot, saute the bacon until slightly crisp. Add the onions and season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook 6 to 7 minutes, until the onions are wilted and golden. Add the brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the shallots and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the water and vinegar and mix well. Begin adding the greens, a third at a time, pressing them down as they begin to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until the greens are soft, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve hot.

PERFECT SOUTHERN GREENS (KALE, BEET, COLLARD GREENS, MUSTARD)

Steps:

• Tear greens into large pieces and discard the thick vein. Add greens to a pot of boiling salted water (I use kosher salt). Let boil for about 6 minutes. Drain and Rinse.
• While the greens are boiling, preheat a heavy skillet with olive oil, add onion and garlic; sauté until onions are lightly brown, add minced jalapeno peppers and cook for an additional minute or two.
• Put the sautéed onions in the slow-cooker then add the drained greens, ham, bacon, crushed red pepper and water.
• Cook on high for 4 hours or until greens are tender.
• Serve with balsamic vinegar, optional.