Best Asian Inspired Mustard Greens Recipes

CHINESE MUSTARD GREEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil. In the meantime, dice Chinese mustard greens to roughly about 1-inch sections. Rinse well. If the mustard green comes with leafy parts, separate the stems and the leaves. Prepare garlic and ginger. Set aside ready to use.
• Hot water blanch the stems with a pinch of salt for about 30 seconds. If the mustard greens come with leaves, blanch for 10 seconds. Plunge them in cold water to stop cooking. Set aside and drain well.
• In a well-heated large saute pan (or wok), add 1.5 tbsp cooking oil, saute garlic, ginger, and chilies with a pinch of salt over medium-heat for 20 seconds.
• Add blanched Chinese mustard greens and the remaining ½ tbsp cooking oil. Quickly toss and saute for 30 seconds. Season with salt to taste. The texture of the greens should be crunchy and in vibrant green color.
• Off heat, drizzle with sesame oil, if using. Serve warm or cold.

CHINESE PICKLED MUSTARD GREENS (HAAM CHOY)

Steps:

• Trim the tough base off of the mustard greens, along with any yellow or brown portions of the leaves. To remove any dirt or sand, soak them in a large bowl of water for 10 minutes. Shake the vegetables to loosen the grit. Lift the vegetables out of the dirty water and rinse. Rinse the bowl, fill with fresh water, and repeat this process two more times. This cleaning step is very important.
• In a large pot, add 10 cups (2.4 liters) of water, bring to a boil, and turn the heat down to medium low. Stir in 1 ½ tablespoons (26g) of salt, until dissolved.
• Place the mustard greens into the simmering water 1 or 2 at a time, so they're completely submerged. Blanch for 30 seconds, rotating them to evenly heat them on all sides. Lift the mustard greens out of the water and transfer to a clean sheet pan to cool.
• Next, put the sliced ginger into the blanching water and bring the water back to a simmer. Once simmering, turn off the heat, and allow the liquid to cool to room temperature.
• Once the vegetables are cool enough to handle, pour off any excess water from your sheet pan and rub salt (2 ¼ teaspoons/13g per pound of mustard greens) all over the greens, getting into the inner stems and rubbing the salt evenly across each stem/leaf until it has dissolved.
• Place into a non-reactive bowl-stainless steel, enamel, ceramic, or glass work-and pour the ginger-infused blanching liquid over the vegetables. Place a large plate on top of the vegetables with a heavy pot (or a pot filled with water) on top to press them down and keep them submerged. Allow the greens to sit in the salted water for 24 hours at room temperature, covered with a clean towel or paper.
• Disinfect the jar by first washing it thoroughly. Wash your hands, and rinse the jar with boiling water. With clean hands or tongs, lift the mustard greens out of the brine solution and let any excess liquid drain for a few seconds.
• Squeeze the vegetables tightly. This removes spaces where air bubbles can form, and also makes them more compact. Place them into the jar along with the ginger slices. Do your best to squeeze the vegetables into the jar and distribute the ginger evenly. Reserve the brine, as you will be adding it to the jar momentarily.
• Measure 1 teaspoon (6g) salt and ¾ teaspoon (3g) sugar per pound of greens, and sprinkle on top of the vegetables in the jar. Measure out 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white vinegar per pound of vegetables, and pour it over the salt and sugar in the jar.
• Next, use a clean ladle to carefully transfer the brine into the jar until it is almost full. Check for air pockets that may be trapped near the bottom of the jar. Use a chopstick to move the mustard greens around to release any air bubbles. You can also cap the jar and move it around to coax air bubbles up to the top. Once you feel all air bubbles have been eliminated, fill the jar to the top to ensure that all of the greens are completely submerged in liquid.
• Take a 10- to 12-inch square piece of plastic wrap and fold it in half twice to make a neat smaller square. Place it over the jar, making sure there are no air bubbles under the plastic wrap. Screw the top on over the plastic wrap to create an airtight fit.
• Use a clean kitchen cloth to wipe any liquid from the jar and place a label on it with the date. Place the jar in a cool dark place for about 2 days, or until the mustard greens have turned from a bright green to a dull green.
• After the mustard greens turn a dull green (2 days), put them in the back of the refrigerator, and they should be ready to eat in 7 days.

STIR-FRIED CHINESE MUSTARD GREENS (XUELIHONG)

Steps:

• Heat the oil oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and chili peppers and cook for about a minute, being sure to avoid burning the garlic.
• Now add the mustard greens, turning the heat up to the highest setting. Add the sugar, sesame oil, and salt (and organic chicken bouillon if using). Stir and mix everything well.
• Cover the lid, and let it cook for about 45 seconds to a minute. Now uncover, stirring the greens one more time. Plate and serve immediately!

SESAME MUSTARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions to the hot oil and saute for 3 minutes. Carefully add mustard greens, garlic, and water; cover immediately and steam until greens are slightly wilted, about 4 minutes.
• Remove cover and mix greens. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce. When greens are at desired texture, add sesame seeds and season with salt and pepper.

QUICK STEAMED FLOUNDER WITH GINGER-GARLIC MUSTARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oils in a very large skillet. Add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add mustard greens, soy sauce and 3 tablespoons water, and sauté until greens start to wilt, 2 minutes longer.
• Spread greens out in pan. Season flounder with salt and pepper, and place on top of greens. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium, and let fish steam until just cooked through, about 6 minutes. If pan dries out before fish is cooked through, add a little more water, a teaspoon at a time.
• Uncover pan and transfer fish to serving plates. If greens seem wet, turn heat to high to cook off excess moisture. Serve greens on top of fish, drizzled with a little more sesame oil and soy sauce, if desired.