Mediterranean Stuffed Collard Greens Recipes

COLLARDS

Steps:

• Prepare the collards for cooking by cutting the large stems from the center of the leaves. Stack the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1-inch strips
• Put 2 inches of water in a saucepan large enough to hold the raw collards (the leaves can be pushed down tightly and will wilt to about one-quarter volume as they cook). Add the ham hock or pork and bring the water to a boil. Add the collards and toss with tongs until the water returns to a boil and the leaves wilt down into the pan. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, or until tender. Stir occasionally, checking to be sure there is enough liquid to prevent scorching. Taste the liquid and add salt if needed. Serve with buttermilk cornbread and hot sauce.

STUFFED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you carefully stem the collard greens, trying to keep the leaves intact. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the collard leaves, in batches. Blanch for 2 minutes and transfer to the ice water. Drain, gently squeeze out excess water and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large nonstick skillet and add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the pine nuts and garlic, stir together and add the drained rinsed rice. Stir for a minute or two, until you hear the rice begin to crackle, then remove from the heat. Toss with the herbs, salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. To gauge how much salt you will need, use the amount that you would use when cooking 1 1/4 cups of rice.
• Oil a wide, deep lidded sauté pan or saucepan with olive oil. To fill the leaves, place one on your work surface, vein side up and with the stem end facing you. The leaf may have a big space in the middle where you stemmed it; if it does, pull the two sides of the leaf in toward each other and overlap them slightly. Place about 1 level tablespoon of filling on the bottom center of each leaf. Fold the sides over, then roll up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. Place in the pan, seam side down, fitting the stuffed leaves in snug layers.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, remaining oil, and tomato paste with 2 tablespoons water. Season to taste with salt. Pour over the rolls. Add enough water to barely cover the rolls and top with a layer of lemon slices if desired. They will add some bitterness to the dish because of the bitter oils in the lemon skin. Invert a plate over the rolls to keep them wrapped and in position, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the pan, turn the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, at which point the leaves will be tender and the rice cooked. Remove from the heat and carefully remove the stuffed leaves from the water to a platter or to plates with a slotted spoon or tongs. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Taste the liquid left in the pot and adjust seasonings. Serve the rolls warm or at room temperature with the liquid from the pot as a sauce.

PORK-STUFFED COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the collards for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and pliable. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together pork, salt, cumin, chili flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and nutmeg in a bowl. Divide into 4 sections to form oblong patties. Wrap each patty in 4 collard leaves. Place patties seam side down in the baking dish and add enough stock to reach 1/4 of the way up the stuffed greens. Cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil and bake until pork is cooked through, about 35 minutes.

STUFFED COLLARD GREENS ROLLS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl and set nearby.
• While the water comes to a boil, prepare the collard greens. Working 1 leaf at a time, cut out the stem, stopping halfway up the leaf so that the whole leaf stays intact.
• Blanch the greens in the boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge the leaves in the ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain and lightly squeeze out any excess water. Pat the leaves dry with paper towels.
• In a large high-walled skillet, whisk together the chicken broth and Gourmet Garden™ Jalapeño Stir-in Paste. Add the rice, cover, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-14 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Fluff the rice with a fork, then transfer to a medium bowl. Wipe out the pan.
• Add bacon strips to the same pan over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, until browned. Flip and cook on the other side for 3 minutes more, until brown and crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving any rendered fat behind, and drain on paper towels. Once cool enough to handle, chop the bacon.
• Add the onion, paprika, and garlic powder, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until softened and golden brown. Add the rice, chopped bacon, chicken, salt, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well, then cook for 5 minutes, until heated through. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Lay a collard green on a cutting board, overlapping the two sides in the center to remove the gap where the stem was. Scoop a heaping ¼ cup of the rice mixture just above the bottom of the leaf. Fold the bottom over the filling, fold in the sides, then roll up tightly, tucking in the sides of the leaf as you go. Repeat with the remaining filling and collard greens.
• Enjoy!