Best Country Greens Recipes

COUNTRY TURNIP GREENS

Steps:

• Put the ham in a large stockpot over medium heat. Cook until the ham is crispy and the fat is rendered, about 8 minutes. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to lift up any brown bits.
• Meanwhile, rip the greens into large pieces to make it easier to fit all of them into the stockpot.
• Add the greens to the pot and season generously with black pepper. Pour in the chicken stock and stir to combine. Bring the greens to a simmer and cover the pot. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the greens are tender and the liquid is reduced by half, about 45 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is nearly gone, about 10 minutes more. Serve immediately.

COUNTRY TURNIP GREENS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook salt pork until lightly browned. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of drippings. , Stir the remaining ingredients into the reserved drippings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until greens are tender.

COUNTRY HAM AND CHEDDAR PIE WITH WHOLE GRAIN MUSTARD AND GREENS WITH APRICOT VINAIGRETTE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• For the pie: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Unfold or unroll one sheet of the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Gently roll with a rolling pin until each side is increased by about 1/2-inch. Place the pastry on the prepared baking sheet and brush the pastry from edge to edge with prepared egg wash. Combine the mustard, apricot jam and a generous amount of black pepper in a small bowl, and spread over the egg wash, leaving about an inch border between the mustard and the edge of pastry. Place the ham evenly over the mustard and then evenly spread the cheese over the ham.
• Roll out the second piece of puff pastry as the first, increasing the size by about 1/2-inch on each side. Gently place it on top of the ham and cheese and press the edges together with your fingers. Gently fold about 1/2-inch of the edges over, creating a thick crust. Press the edges with the tines of a fork. Dip the fork in flour if it sticks to the puff pastry during pressing. Lightly brush a layer of egg wash over the top and edges of the pie. Cut a few small slits into the top of the pie and bake until cooked through and golden brown, 30 minutes.
• For the greens: Whisk together the vinegar and jam in a small bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Put the greens in large bowl, toss with the vinaigrette, divide among the plates and top with the almonds.

TURNIP GREENS WITH COUNTRY HAM HOCKS

Steps:

• 1. Soak greens for a few minutes in salted water. Wash greens thoroughly, breaking off stem thru the middle of the leaf. I run them thru several washings, until the water runs clear. Add greens to a large stockpot filled with water. Parboil (boil without seasonings) for about 5 minutes. Drain off water and cover with fresh water. Add ham hocks. They will be salty, so wait until they cook for a while to see if more salt is needed. (If you don't have access to country ham hocks, use smoked ham hocks, salt pork or other seasoning meat of your choice, but country ham hocks are great). Add pinch of nutmeg to enhance flavor. Bring pot to boiling again and turn heat down to a low boil. I cook them on the low boil for 2 - 3 hours, until tender. You can remove the ham from the hock and add to greens to serve.

FRESH COUNTRY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• 1. Remove collard greens from stalk and then remove the stems from the leaves. Roll leaves up and slice into strips. Wash thoroughly, taking care to remove any sand or grit.
• 2. Place in large stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until greens have cooked down and turned a bright green color.
• 3. Place collard greens in colander and drain well. Rinse one more time with cool water. Place collards and seasonings into a crock pot and cook on high for about 2 hours and then reduce heat to low and continue to cook for about three more hours or until greens are tender and meat is cooked. Enjoy with fresh hot cornbread or muffins.

WILTED GREENS SALAD WITH SQUASH, APPLES, AND COUNTRY HAM

Steps:

• Gently rub greens with 2 tablespoons salt in a large bowl. Let stand, checking often, until the greens begin to release water and soften, about 15 minutes. Rinse in two changes of cold water. Squeeze greens dry and pat with a kitchen towel; transfer to a clean bowl.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Toss squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil on prepared sheet; season with salt. Roast squash, turning occasionally, until lightly browned and tender, 20-25 minutes. Let cool.
• Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add ham and cook until crisp, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Add squash, apple, shallot, lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to greens. Toss to combine; season to taste with salt. Divide evenly among plates. Drizzle with buttermilk. Arrange fried ham over. Season with cracked pepper.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH COUNTRY HAM AND TURNIPS WITH THEIR GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Rinse the chicken, pat dry, and remove any excess fat. Season all over with salt and pepper to taste. Lightly dust each piece, skin side only, with the flour.
• Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot (see Know-how, page 100). Add the chicken and brown for about 5 minutes per side.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate and set aside. Add the turnips and ham and cook and stir for about 2 minutes, until the ham is slightly crispy. Add the garlic and cook and stir for 1 minute more. Add the broth and rosemary, scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and return the chicken to the skillet, skin side up, along with any juice that has collected in the bottom of the plate.
• Place the skillet in the oven to roast for about 30 minutes, basting the chicken with the cooking liquid several times, until cooked through and the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with the tip of a small knife.
• Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken to a large serving platter, loosely covered to keep warm. Add the turnip greens to the skillet, place over medium heat, and cook and stir until just wilted and tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Arrange the turnips and greens around the chicken, spoon the broth and ham on top, and serve warm.

COUNTRY GREENS

Steps:

• Add all ingredients, except greens, to a large pot. Bring to a simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the smoked turkey to release the flavor.
• Remove the stem veins from the greens. Then wash and cut them into large bite size pieces. Add the greens to the pot of stock and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until greens are all tender. Adjust seasoning and serve hot with pot liquor (the juice from the greens).

COUNTRY GREENS

Steps:

• 1. Boil 4 cups water, add seasonings, vinegar, bacon, and honey. Boil gently 15 minutes
• 2. in a skillet melt bacon fat, saute onions, garlic, and jalapeno for 3-4 minutes
• 3. Add to broth along with greens; boil gently until greens are tender to suit.