SLOW-COOKER COLLARD GREENS WITH HAM

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham image

When it comes to greens, collards tend to live in the shadow of lettuce, spinach and even kale-except in the South. There, collard greens, which taste like a cross between kale and cabbage, star in a dish that inspires lots of love and plenty of controversy, too. One classic debate: Should collards be cooked until silken or left with a bit of texture? That's what we love about this recipe-it features all the rich savory flavor of the classic dish but is prepared using a simplified set-it-and-forget-it method that leaves room for customization. Those who like their collards meltingly tender should let their greens stew together with the ham bone and other ingredients until the six-hour point, while those who prefer a more toothsome texture can stop at four. So if you've been leaving collard greens on the grocery display, consider this your easy entry to enjoying this under-the-radar-but-totally-terrific veggie!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Time 4h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cooked ham bone (1 to 2 lb), with remaining meat still attached
2 cups thinly sliced onions
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth
1 1/2 lb collard greens, ribs removed, cut in 1-inch strips (about 3 bunches)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Steps:

Spray 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat until hot. Cook ham bone in oil 4 to 6 minutes, turning several times, until browned on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker.
Add remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to same skillet. Add onions and pepper flakes; cook over medium heat 2 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown. Add garlic and brown sugar; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth; heat just to simmering. Stir in greens, a few handfuls at a time, until wilted slightly.
Pour mixture around ham bone in slow cooker. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or until collards reach desired tenderness. Remove bone; chop ham from bone, and stir into greens. Stir in vinegar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Carbohydrate 10 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 4 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 3/4 Cup, Sodium 220 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g