Learn to reduce collard greens plus the place to purchase them and the right way to decide, clear, and retailer contemporary collard greens on this information. Additionally, uncover the numerous causes and methods to eat them.
Collard greens are a staple in soul meals and in southern cooking. This hardy, nutritious inexperienced can take a while to wash and reduce them earlier than cooking. Plus, the best way you chop you chop your collards – how thick or skinny – impacts cook dinner time.
The time it takes is price each second. I’m going to stroll you step-by-step by means of the right way to prep and reduce collard greens to make vegan collard greens, these simple honey cider collards, a wholesome weeknight facet dish or so as to add to soup or stew.
You’ll see precisely the right way to clear, reduce, and cook dinner this southern staple vegetable each in footage and a fast video!
Why are collard greens wholesome?
Collard greens are nutritious. They supply calcium, vitamin Okay, fiber, and many polyphenols which will contribute further well being advantages reminiscent of defending our physique’s cells from harm.
Collards are additionally versatile within the kitchen. I want them as a facet dish however have additionally added them to soups and stews. You may blanch the leaves and use as a sandwich wrap or to steam fish inside. Although you should utilize collards for a salad, they’re greatest cooked for my part.
Collard greens are in season throughout the cooler months and style greatest in December and January. So, now could be the proper time to seize a bunch of those wholesome winter greens.
The place to purchase collards
Collard greens are plentiful within the winter. I search for small bunches of younger collard greens that are extra tender and take much less time to cook dinner. The large bunches of collards with the extra mature leaves are additionally positive. Simply know that you simply’ll have to cook dinner them longer and the cleansing and reducing course of generally is a bit extra cumbersome.
I like to recommend contemporary greens for many recipes and keep away from pre-cut bagged ones since these have a tendency be harder in texture.
Select collard greens which can be a darkish inexperienced shade with no limp, cracking, or yellowing leaves. The leaves and stems ought to really feel supple and agency not wilting, splitting or dry.
You too can purchase frozen collard greens on the grocery store. These are good for tossing into soup, stew, stir-fry, one-pot rice dishes, or smoothies.
Cleansing collard greens
This may take a while. And there are two important strategies. I want the primary methodology however the second may save just a little water.
Methodology One
– Separate the bunch of collard greens into particular person leaves.
– Rinse every leaf fastidiously underneath cool operating water. Take care to rub away any soil or particles which may gather on the leaf and particularly across the stem on the entrance and bottom. As soon as clear, put aside to organize to slice.
Methodology Two
– Swish and soak the greens in a big bowl of cool water (or a sanitized sink). The dust will settle to the underside of the bowl.
– Change the water a number of occasions. You’ll know the greens are clear when the water is obvious.
Whether or not you employ cool operating water or the soaking methodology, be sure you take a look at every leaf to verify there’s no clinging dust or particles. Due to the best way they develop, collard greens could be troublesome to wash. And consider me nobody desires gritty greens!
Play some music and take the time to wash your greens. Prep an additional bunch when you’re at it!
Storing contemporary greens
Prep forward: Clear a few collard bunches at a time. The clear, sliced and dry greens will maintain for every week or longer within the fridge.
In case your greens are moist. Use a salad spinner to take away any clinging moisture earlier than inserting in an hermetic bag or container and into the fridge.
TIP: Prep your New 12 months’s Day collard greens the week earlier than on the identical time you’re cleansing and reducing your Christmas greens.
Finest technique to retailer greens
Recent, unwashed collard greens will final a few week within the fridge. The bottom line is ensuring the greens are dry. So wash them proper earlier than you’re able to cook dinner them.
You too can put together the greens this manner. Wash, reduce, and spin the greens dry. Retailer in a plastic bag with a paper towel to soak up any lingering water.
As soon as the greens are cooked, eat them inside 1-2 days.
Slicing collard greens step-by-step
As soon as your greens are clear, it’s time to chop them. Whereas a paring knife can work for essentially the most expert cooks, I exploit a reducing board and chef’s knife.
Step One: Stack the leaves inserting the biggest ones on the underside of the pile. I’ve eliminated the stems however you’ll be able to maintain the thinner stems in, for those who want.
Step 2: Roll the greens into a good roll, being cautious to tuck all leaves inside. The ultimate roll ought to seem like a fats cigar.
Step 3: Maintain the roll firmly in opposition to the reducing board. Use the knife to slice by means of the collards creating skinny strips.
For uniform cooking, slice your greens into evenly-sized ribbons.
Use your sliced greens in your favourite collard recipes. This measurement slice is ideal for a fast saute. Use thicker slices for longer cooking recipes.
Use your collard greens for a fast facet dish recipe or conventional braised collard greens and extra!
Find out how to Minimize Collard Greens
Step-by-step information to choosing, cleansing, reducing and storing collard greens.
Servings: 1 small bunch
Price: $2
Notes
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