Southern Style Collard Greens

[jtuck004]

...
So, if you didn't know this already, we Southerners are pretty set in our ways...

She used buttercream frosting on that red velvet cake instead of cream cheese. Bless her heart.
...
1-2 bunches fresh collard greens
5 strips bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 tablespoons additional bacon grease*
1 onion, diced
Salt to taste
...

http://www.southyourmouth.com/2013/11/southern-style-collard-greens.html

It's a basic greens recipe, cooking the bacon then braising the collards in that grease and some water, but the comments about how cooks in the South talk about each other behind each other's back made me laugh.

I found the same people out here in the West, but the Southern folks were unique, somehow. Maybe it's because that is where I grew up and I just can't see it another way.


Happy Food Day.

[yellerpup]

1. Yum!

That's the way I like them, too.

[Alenne]

2. I use hog jowls. I've never had it with bacon.

I guess it's like bacon but more meaty. I think that's a soul food thing, though.

[Rebkeh]

3. I tried this exact recipe recently,

It didn't turn out very good. I'm sticking with the family recipe ... Mama H made it best. Only problem is it takes all day to cook.

[dem in texas]

4. Used to grow collards in my garden

The leafy greens grow really well this time of year in Texas. I used to have a year-round vegetable garden before my arthritis got so bad. We live on limestone rock, so we built raised beds and hauled in good dirt to fill them. They are perfect for year-round gardening in this area. I'd plant collards, spinach, kale and chard as winter crops. The greens are so much better when pick them fresh and tender. Then cook them right away. What a treat!

Years ago, an elderly neighbor told me to put a few tablespoons of molasses in the greens near the end of the cooking. It gives the greens a deep flavor. Now I always do that when I cook them. I use bacon drippings, but not the bacon.

[japple]

5. Because some family members and friends have converted to vegetarianism, I've

started cooking my greens in a different way. We grow turnips, turnip greens, mustard and kale and mix them together. I have never been able to handle the smell of cooking collard greens, so we don't grow them. Start with about 12 cups of washed greens with stems/ribs removed and roughly sliced against the grain. Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil until fragrant in a large pot, then add 4 finely chopped garlic cloves. Saute on low for a few minutes, but do not brown. Add about 1 to 2 tsp. of finely crushed cumin seeds. Let that cook on low for a minute. Then put in the greens and about 1 cup of water and 1 tsp. salt. Let simmer on low until tender. Add lots of finely ground black pepper and more salt if needed. Also good with a bit of smoked paprika. Serve with vinegar to which chopped jalapenos have been added or pickled pepper sauce (Texas Pete)!

[Luminous Animal]

8. That so very close to how I cook greens it is uncanny.

I add tomato paste or sun dried tomatoes.

[trof]

6. Great website. Bookmarked. Thanks.

[Rebkeh]

7. Am thinking of making the Mac and Cheese recipe

From that site. Does anyone here have a good recipe?

[japple]

11. My go-to recipe for mac & cheese is "Baked Macaroni & Cheese"

from the Betty Crocker cookbook. Everyone I've ever served it to loves it except for one child who only eats food that his mother prepares and his mac & cheese has to come out of a blue box.

This is very similar to it, but I copied it off a recipe site.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package processed American cheese, cut into strips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

I don't use American cheese. I just add 3 cups of cheese (whatever kind you prefer) and mix it all up before baking.

[Rebkeh]

13. Thanks for this

It sounds good, though I wouldn't use processed American cheese. Sharp cheddar, jack(?) and maybe Velveeta for creaminess.

If time permits, I'll test the recipe before Christmas. I learned the hard way to never make something for the first time for the holiday feast, it's always a disaster when I do.

[japple]

14. I usually only cook the macaroni about 6 or 7 minutes. Sharp cheddar and any other

odds and ends I happen to have. I've used Gruyere, Havarti, Swiss, Mexican melting cheese.

[Rebkeh]

19. It was a success

Thanks for your suggestions. I really hate plastic cheese so I didn't go with the Velveeta after all, I wanted to try it with cream cheese but not for Christmas dinner.

I ended up doing 1.5 cups each of sharp cheddar and jack, a couple of tablespoons of sour cream and added a touch of white pepper.

I think it's going to be a mainstay around here.

[eridani]

9. Am I right in assuming that "Bless her heart" isn't a compliment? n/t

[jtuck004]

10. You are correct. There is sometimes eye rolling that accompanies, but usually just

a "knowing" look between, well, people who think they know.

[Dalai_1]

12. In our community..

It is a genuine expression of caring when one is distressed.I had never heard(until I got my first computer) that it was less than a sincere expression. -

[jtuck004]

17. I should be clear - this is one of those with multiple meanings. For example, y'all

is not necessarily plural, frequently used toward an individual.

Kinda like email - some things don't come across as well unless one is there.

[madfloridian]

18. It's a phrase meant sincerely where I live.

When I use it it's a positive. I have never heard it used negatively.

[Phentex]

15. I could eat them every day...

I like to stir fry them now for a quick meal. I also like them slightly crisp at times. But I always slow cook them for New Year's Day.

[jtuck004]

16. Do you make Hoppin' John?