Smoked Braised Mixed Greens Recipes

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.

SMOKED TURKEY BRAISED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When butter melts into extra-virgin olive oil, add smoked turkey and caramelize meat, a couple of minutes on each side. Add onions and cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Wilt greens into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook and toss the greens a minute or 2 more then add the vinegar - lean back - sugar and hot sauce. Cook off vinegar for a minute then add beer or stock, enough to coat the pan and loosen up greens in liquid. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer greens 10 to 15 minutes until no longer bitter.

SAUTéED GREENS WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA FOR TWO

Steps:

• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and let it heat up for about 20 seconds. It will thin out to coat the pan. Stir in shallot slices and garlic, and cook until pale golden at the edges and softened, about 2 minutes. Add a big pinch of salt and the paprika. Give everything a stir.
• Add the greens to the pan, using tongs to toss everything well. Add broth, and let greens simmer, until very soft, about 3 minutes for tender greens, and up to 15 minutes for tougher, mature greens. If the greens still seem tough but the pan is dry, splash in a little water and let cook for another few minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Squeeze on a little lemon juice, if you like, then serve hot or warm.

BRAISED SMOKED COLLARD GREENS WITH PEPPER VINEGAR

Steps:

• To make the pepper vinegar: Bring the vinegar and sugar to a boil and stir to dissolve. Add the chiles and cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours to overnight.
• Smoke the collards in 2 batches: Preheat the oven to 200°F. To create a smoker, use two large aluminum pans. First, heat the wood chips in a cast-iron pan over hight heat, until they begin to smoke. Remove the cast-iron pan from the heat and place the hot wood chips in one of the aluminum pans. Then, using a small but sharp knife, punch holes in the bottom of the second pan and place it on top of the first pan with the wood chips inside. Add the collards to the top pan, place in the oven, and smoke for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• In a Dutch oven, sweat the red and white onions, leeks, and shallot with 2 cups of the olive oil and a nice pinch of salt. Add the smoked collards in increments until they cook down, then add more. Once all of the collards are in the pot, add the remaining oil and 8 cups of water. Cook, covered, on low heat, until done, about 1½ to 2 hours.
• To serve: Dress the collard greens with the pepper vinegar to taste.

SMOKED TURKEY BRAISED GREENS (RECIPE COURTESY RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• Difficulty: Easy.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter.
• When butter melts into extra-virgin olive
• oil, add smoked turkey and caramelize meat, a couple of minutes on each side.
• Add onions and cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Wilt greens into the pan and season with salt and pepper.
• Cook and toss the greens a minute or 2 more then add the vinegar - lean back so the fumes don't knock you out - sugar and hot sauce.
• Cook off vinegar for a minute then add beer or stock, enough to coat the pan and loosen up greens in liquid.
• Reduce heat to medium low.
• Simmer greens 10 to 15 minutes until no longer bitter.

SMOKED BRAISED MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat.
• Add the bacon and render until you have enough fat to saute the garlic and onions.
• Add the garlic and onions and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the pinch red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute more.
• Add the greens in handfuls, adding more as the greens start to wilt, tossing with tongs until all the greens are wilted down.
• Add the chicken stock and cover.
• Cook until the greens are tender, about 10 minutes.