**Smothered Greens: A Southern Comfort Food Classic**
Smothered greens are a beloved Southern comfort food dish that combines tender greens, savory smoked meats, and a rich, flavorful sauce. Typically made with collard greens, turnip greens, or mustard greens, these greens are slow-cooked until meltingly tender, infusing them with the smoky essence of ham hocks, bacon, or smoked turkey. The addition of onions, garlic, and spices like red pepper flakes and black pepper adds depth and complexity to the dish. Served over rice, cornbread, or mashed potatoes, smothered greens offer a comforting and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.
This article provides three delectable smothered greens recipes that showcase the versatility of this classic dish. The first recipe features traditional collard greens braised in a savory broth with smoked turkey, while the second recipe introduces a unique twist with the addition of sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas. The third recipe caters to vegetarians with a meatless version that uses vegetable broth and smoked tofu for a flavorful and satisfying twist. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions, cooking tips, and serving suggestions, ensuring that you can easily create this soul-satisfying dish in your own kitchen.
VEAL GRILLADES AND GRITS WITH SMOTHERED GREENS
Provided by Emeril Lagasse
Categories main-dish
Time 2h45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 45
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl, add the veal. Season with Creole seasoning. Add the flour and toss the meat, coating completely. Turn the meat out onto a floured surface and lightly pound with a meat mallet. Turn the meat over and lightly pound again.
- In a large, cast iron pot, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the veal. Cook until the meat is browned on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers and celery. Season with salt and cayenne. Continue stirring, scraping the bottom and sides of the pot to loosen any browned particles. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the vegetables are wilted. Add the tomatoes and garlic. Cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom and sides of the pot, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves, thyme, oregano, basil, beef broth and wine. Season with salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Bring the liquid to a simmer, and cook for about 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is very tender, stirring occasionally and keeping the pot partially covered. Remove the bay leaves.
- For the grits:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, add the milk, salt, cayenne and butter and bring to a boil. Stir in the grits and reduce the heat to medium. Stir for 30 seconds, then add 1 cup of the cheese and stir until the cheese melts. Cook, uncovered, for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the grits are tender and creamy. Pour the grits into a greased square glass pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the grits. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- To serve, spoon the grits in the center of each plate. Spoon the greens around the grits. Spoon the veal mixture over the grits. Garnish with green onions and parsley.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow, 1993.
- Fry the bacon in a large, heavy pot over medium heat until slightly crisp. Add the onions and season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Cook, stirring, until the onions are wilted and golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the water and vinegar and mix well. Begin adding the greens, about a third at a time, pressing the greens down as they begin to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until the greens are tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve hot.
SOUTHERN STYLE COLLARD GREENS
Southern-style greens like my mama use to make.
Provided by tybright31
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 4h15m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine onions, ham hocks, and garlic in a stockpot; add chicken broth. Cook mixture over medium heat until meat is falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
- Stir collard greens, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into the broth mixture; cook until greens have reached desired tenderness, about 2 more hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.5 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 33.9 mg, Fat 9.7 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 11.8 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 1686.5 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
SMOTHERED COLLARD GREENS AND CABBAGE
This is a wonderful variation of fried (smothered) cabbage.
Provided by TrudyRudy
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Fry the bacon with the onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the bacon is crisp, about 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped collard greens, sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the greens seasoning; cook and stir for 5 minutes.
- Add in the darker chopped cabbage leaves, and cook and stir until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining cabbage; season with salt, black pepper, sugar, and the remaining greens seasoning. Stir well; cover and cook until tender, stirring occasionally so that the greens do not scorch, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.3 calories, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 19.3 mg, Fat 13 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 320.3 mg, Sugar 5.6 g
SMOTHERED GREENS
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories easy, quick, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large nonstick saute pan, melt the butter with the oil. Saute onion for about 5 minutes, without coloring.
- Stir in the assorted greens, and cook over medium-high heat, until the vegetables are wilted and tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. If mixture becomes dry, add a little chicken stock.
- Stir in the vinegar, and season with salt and pepper and hot sauce, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 167, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 340 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SMOTHERED GREENS
Steps:
- Heat oil or butter in a wide braising pan or casserole. Add onion and garlic and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring and being careful not to get too much color on the onions. Add the greens (be sure to wash carefully as they have a tendency to be gritty) and stir. Cover for about 5 minutes to wilt, then cook over medium low heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes, or until greens are tender and not bitter. Sprinkle with the vinegar, season with salt and pepper, stir, and remove from heat. Serve warm.
SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS WITH COLLARD GREENS
Provided by Food Network
Time 6h30m
Yield Yield: 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Season each chop with salt and pepper, then dust with flour. Heat a cast iron skillet just large enough to hold the pork over a medium heat. Add the reserved pork fat and brown the pork chop well-approximately 4 minutes per side. Remove the chops from the pan and set aside. If the pan is dry, add another tablespoon of fat. Add the onions and peppers. Increase the heat to medium high in order to brown the vegetables well. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Remove pan from the flame and stir in the hot hock stock until thickened and smooth. Bury the pork chops in the gravy. Cover the skillet and place in a 300 degree oven. Cook 2 hours, or until pork is very tender;
- Collard Greens: Place hock stock in a large sauce pot over a medium high heat. Bring hock stock to a rapid simmer. Pack collards into the stock with the onion and jalapeno. Simmer 2 hours. Season to taste with salt, pepper and malt vinegar.;
- Ham hock stock: Place ham hocks in a stock pot large enough to hold the hocks, leaving 6 inches of free space at the top of the pot. Pour enough cold water over the hocks to cover by 3 inches. Bring to a rapid simmer over a medium high heat. A thick foam will build on the top of the stock. Carefully remove all of the foam. Reduce heat to low and simmer 6 hours. Constantly skim the clear fat that builds at the top of the stock. Reserve the fat for cooking.
SMOTHERED GREEN BEANS
Fresh green beans with a robust bacon, onion, and garlicky flavor.
Provided by Michele O'Sullivan
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Green Beans
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until the fat begins to render. Stir in onions and garlic; let cook for 1 minute. Stir in beans and water. Let the beans cook until the water has evaporated and the beans are tender. If the beans are not tender once the water has evaporated, add a small amount more water and let them cook until tender. Season with salt and pepper (to taste) and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 97.5 calories, Carbohydrate 7 g, Cholesterol 13.8 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 343.2 mg, Sugar 1.9 g
Tips:
- Choose hearty greens: Collard greens, turnip greens, kale, or mustard greens are all great options for smothered greens.
- Prep your greens properly: Remove the tough stems from the greens and wash them thoroughly.
- Use a variety of seasonings: Smoked turkey, ham hock, or bacon add a delicious smoky flavor to the greens. You can also use garlic, onion, and black pepper to taste.
- Cook the greens low and slow: This will help them to become tender and flavorful.
- Serve the greens hot: Smothered greens are best served hot with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Conclusion:
Smothered greens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year round. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a hearty and flavorful meal that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying dish, give smothered greens a try!
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