Spicy Greens Recipes

SPICY GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Add the oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted and hot, add the green beans and bell pepper and toss to coat. Add the red pepper flakes and some salt and toss again. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beans are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.

SPICY GREENS WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Cook the garlic in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes; take care that the garlic doesn't get too brown or it will be bitter. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic chips to a paper towel. Add the onions and red pepper (add a little more if you like things spicy) to the skillet and cook, stirring, until light brown, about 10 minutes. When the onions are almost done, add the greens in batches and cook, uncovered, just until tender, about 2 minutes. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish. Top with the reserved garlic chips and garnish with cheese.

KICKIN' COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, crumble and return to the pan. Add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant. Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt.
• Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender.

SPICY GREENS WITH WARM BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Arrange greens on a large platter. Heat oil and garlic in a small pan over moderate heat. Simmer garlic in oil to infuse the flavor. Remove the garlic from the oil and transfer it to a small bowl. Wipe the pan and return to heat. Add balsamic vinegar. Raise heat to high and reduce vinegar by 1/2, 30 seconds. Stream oil into saucepan and whisk to combine with vinegar. Drizzle dressing over the salad and season the greens with salt and pepper.

INDIAN SPICED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan or wok, sizzle the cumin and mustard seeds for 1 min, then add the chilli, ginger and turmeric. Fry until aromatic, then add the greens, a pinch of salt, a splash of water and the peas.
• Cover the pan and cook for 4-5 mins until the greens have wilted. Add the lemon juice, ground coriander, half the fresh coriander and half the desiccated coconut, then toss everything together. Pile into a serving dish and scatter with the rest of the coconut and coriander.

SPICY MUSTARD GREENS WITH CUMIN

Steps:

• Heat oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin seeds, and crushed red pepper; sauté 3 minutes. Add mustard greens to pot in batches (about 1/3 at a time) and stir until each batch begins to wilt before adding next, about 3 minutes per batch. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until greens are very tender, stirring frequently, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in vinegar. (Can be made 3 hours ahead.) Transfer to bowl and serve hot or at room temperature.

STIR-FRIED SHRIMP WITH SPICY GREENS

Steps:

• Combine the broth, 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the rice wine or sherry and sugar in a small bowl. Combine the garlic, 1 tablespoon of the ginger, and the minced chiles in another bowl. Have all of your ingredients within reach of your wok or pan.
• In a medium bowl combine the cornstarch, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine or sherry, and 1 tablespoon of the ginger. Stir together well. Lightly salt the shrimp and toss with the cornstarch mixture until coated.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or a 12-inch skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Add in the oil by pouring it on the sides of the pan and swirling the pan. Add the garlic, ginger and chiles and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds. Add the red pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the shrimp with any liquid in the bowl and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until pink and opaque. Add the amaranth (or beet greens) and scallions, stir-fry for about 30 seconds, add the broth mixture and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the greens have wilted. Add the cilantro and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and serve with rice or noodles, red rice being my first choice.