Stewed Greens With Tomatoes And Mint Food

CALLALOO (LEAFY GREENS WITH TOMATO AND ONION)

Steps:

• If using saltfish, place it in a small pot and cover with water by 1 inch. Boil the saltfish over medium heat until softened, adding water as needed to cover, about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Strain, then let the saltfish cool. Break apart into small pieces.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Add the callaloo and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes, adding the prepared saltfish halfway through, if using. Stir in the seasoned salt and pepper and serve.

STEWED GREENS WITH TOMATOES AND MINT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens. Blanch chard for 1 minute, Southern greens or kale for 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice water, then drain and squeeze out water. Coarsely chop and set aside. Alternatively, steam the greens in a large steamer - 2 minutes for chard, 3 to 4 minutes for kale. Rinse and squeeze dry.
• In a wide, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onion. Cook until the onion is tender and beginning to color, 5 to 8 minutes, and add the garlic, paprika and cayenne. Cook, stirring, for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, about 10 minutes. Add the greens, herbs and diluted tomato paste, and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the greens are very tender, about 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, bulgur or just some good, crusty bread.

STEWED GREEN BEANS AND TOMATOES WITH TRAHANA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide, covered skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring, until tender and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds to a minute, until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, sugar and salt to taste and cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down slightly, about 5 minutes. Add green beans and remaining oil and stir together for a minute, then add about 1 1/2 cups water, or enough to just cover the beans. Bring to a simmer, add more salt to taste, cover, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes, until beans are very tender.
• Check water level and if necessary add water so that beans are covered. When it begins to simmer, stir in trahana and half the herbs. Cover and simmer, stirring often, until trahana is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in remaining herbs, add freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust salt. Add lemon juice and more olive oil if desired. Serve hot or at room temperature (traditionally this is allowed to cool and served at room temperature).

STEWED POTATOES AND GREEN BEANS WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook green beans, potatoes, and garlic in oil with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a 5-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften and stick to bottom of pot, about 10 minutes.
• Pulse tomatoes with their juice several times in a food processor until coarsely chopped, then add to vegetables. Add water and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Mash a few potatoes into sauce and season with salt and pepper.