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Robin Ward

Nourishing Mess o' Greens Recipe for Families

These fresh mixed greens are tender and tasty, especially when washed thoroughly and cooked with a touch of sugar. Follow the directions exactly for perfect greens—delicious, nutritious, and best served hot with pot likker and cornbread.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course: #sidedish
Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs mixed greens (I used mustard, dandelion, and turnip) (kale, turnip, mustard, collard, dandelion, spinach) *see note
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil (any neutral oil)
  • 1 large sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp salt, plus more as needed
  • ½ Tbsp sugar (to taste)
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon (optional, to taste) (I prefer Chinese bouillon powder Lee Kum Kee)
  • 3 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth (You might not need it all.)
  • freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 large cooking pot

Method
 

  1. To prep your greens, first strip the leaves from their stalks. (This includes any pre-chopped greens, which are often full of stalks.) Discard or save them for another use; stalks are edible but are not used in this recipe.
  2. Rinse the leaves well in cold water, even if they are bagged and prewashed, discarding any discolored ones. (There is nothing worse than sandy greens, and I have had some in restaurants!) Stack and roll the leaves, then cut them into 1-inch-wide ribbons. Or if you are fond of the tearing method, tear bits of leaves apart instead of cutting.
  3. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is translucent. Season with the salt.
  4. Add your ribbons (or torn leaves) of greens to the pot a handful at a time. As they wilt down, add just enough of the broth to keep the greens from scorching. Add a little more liquid each time as they cook down (they should not be completely submerged, however). Cook the greens, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes, until they are tender but not mushy. Taste and season with more salt if necessary and/or pepper and sugar.
  5. Serve hot, with some of their pot likker.

Notes

  • Thicker leaves of collard greens require longer cooking times, so I cook them separately to maintain consistent quality. In contrast, thinner leafy greens like spinach cook quickly and only need a few minutes to be done.
  • Choose a single type of green or mix them based on availability and freshness - It's entirely up to you.
  • Optional mix-ins or garnishments: black-eyed peas, navy beans, chopped ham, chopped bacon.
  • To alleviate the bitterness of greens like mustard, turnip, and dandelion in this recipe, add a spoonful of sugar. Alternatively, a spoonful of ketchup works well too. Just before serving, you can also brighten the greens with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar.
  • I avoid kale because it tends to cause bloating and constipation. It's hard to digest unless liquified, and even then, it often leads to significant gas and discomfort. Additionally, kale can be tough on the digestive system, potentially exacerbating issues for those with sensitive stomachs. Despite its nutritional benefits, the digestive drawbacks make it less than ideal for me.