Lower Fat Collard Greens Food

COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Add 1 pound chopped collard greens, a handful at a time, adding more as it cooks down. Add 1 cup chicken broth and season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes.
• Serves: 4; Calories: 75; Total Fat: 3 grams; Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams; Protein: 4 grams; Total carbohydrates: 10 grams; Sugar: 2 grams; Fiber: 4.5 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 162 milligrams

QUICK COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• To prepare the collards: Cut out the thick center rib out of each collard green. Stack the rib-less greens and roll them up into a cigar-like shape. Slice over the "cigar" as thinly as possible (⅛″ to ¼″) to make long strands. Shake up the greens and give them a few chops so the strands aren't so long.
• Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, then add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add all of the collard greens and the salt.
• Stir until all of the greens are lightly coated in oil, then let them cook for about 30 seconds before stirring again. Continue stirring in 30-second intervals until the greens are wilted, dark green, and some are starting to turn browns on the edges (this is delicious). This will take between 3 to 6 minutes.
• Once the collards are just about done, add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to break up the garlic and cook until it's fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Immediately divide the cooked collards onto plates, and serve with a lemon wedge each.

SLOW-COOKED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• To prepare the greens: cut away the tough stalks and stems from the collards, and discard any leaves that are bruised or yellow. Wash the collards thoroughly to remove the grit, 2 or 3 times, until the water runs clear. Dry thoroughly. Tear the leaves into large pieces.
• Place a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, and ham hock. Cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pack in the greens, pushing them down into the pot. Add the broth, vinegar, and sugar. Bring up to a boil turning the greens over occasionally with a wooden spoon as they wilt. Lower to a simmer, cover the pot, and let cook for 45 minutes. Taste the "pot liquor" (broth) and check the seasoning, add salt and pepper. Cover and let cook for 15 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves and serve.

LOW(ER) FAT COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• In a 3 quart saucepan over medium high heat heat the olive oil just until the scent of the oil starts to bloom.
• Add the butter and allow to melt in the oil.
• Add the turkey ham and saute for about 3 minutes or until you start to get those little brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
• Add the onion and stir with the ham, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Saute for about 2 minutes.
• Add half of the collard greens and allow to cook down some, about 1 minute or so.
• Add the last of the collard greens and stir until the greens, onions and bacon are combined.
• Cook over medium high heat for about 2 minutes.
• Add 1 1/2 cups water and stir again.
• Allow to come to a boil over medium heat.
• Reduce temperature to low and simmer for 30 minutes, adjusting heat to maintain a constant simmer but not let it boil.