Southern Collard Greens

Southern Collard Greens - made with your favorite smoky pork, a pinch of sweet, and a dash of heat, topped off with a splash of tangy vinegar. A classic southern dish cooked slow until tender and delicious.

I grew up in a small southern town and was raised by mom from Baltimore, northerner as my dad would say, and daddy was a native Floridian. My mom moved to Florida right out of high school, so she pretty much considers herself southern. Her roots are from Virginia, as that is where my grandparents were from. So much of my cooking style have been influenced by these many southern roots.

My dad's mom was a southern cook and I can still remember sitting at her dining room table as a little girl while she fried up the best cornbread I have ever eaten. Along with so many other things!! I also may have mentioned before she never wrote her recipes down. I sure wish they had been important to me back then. I would give anything to have them now.

Her love for country style cooking was rooted deep within me from childhood. And what I love most about it, is serving it to people I love and making them happy. I know I say that a lot, but honestly, I cannot say it enough. It really gives me joy to feed my people!

As for feeding them greens, MOST of them LOVE them. If you have been following a long you will also know who doesn't eat these or many things green in my house. Yup - my son. He just really doesn't know what he is missing out on. These collards are so simply made and packed full of delicious smoky flavor.

They are a staple here in the south. Whether you are enjoying while ringing in the New Year, for a bit of added prosperity, or serving them with your favorite Southern Fried Pork Chops on a Sunday afternoon, they are absolutely the BEST!

What You Need to Southern Collard Greens

• collard greens
• Some sort of smoky pork - bacon, ham hocks, ham shanks, or a leftover ham bone with some meat left on it.
• onion
• garlic
• chicken stock or broth
• salt
• black pepper
•  sugar
• red pepper flakes
• white vinegar

How to make Country Style Collard Greens

Step 1.   If you are using bacon. You can either cut in up in pieces or leave whole or in pieces large enough to pull out if you don't want to leave them in. Or use a ham bone, hock or shank. Today, I am making mine with a ham shank. They all give that smoky flavor. You can leave the meat and shred up any cooked ham or take it out.

Whatever makes your belly happy! (I seriously, almost typed hammy - I must need more sleep) With that being said, if you are using bacon, add it to a Dutch oven or large pot to render some of the fat. (If you are using ham, we will add it in a bit).

Step 2.   Cook about a minute on medium heat and then add in the onion. Let the onion cook about 1 minute and then add in the minced garlic. Let the garlic cook about 1 minute.

Step 3.   Make sure your collards are clean and cut or torn into pieces and add them into the pot. Give them a good stir. Most grocery stores now carry them cut, cleaned all ready for you. I still always give another good rinsing before I use them.

Step 4.   Next add in salt, black pepper, a pinch of sugar and a dash of red pepper flakes (or desired amount depending on the heat you like). 

Step 5.   Pour in chicken stock and add in ham bone, shank, or hock. Stir. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer (on my stove usually a medium to medium low heat depending on the pot I use). Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until tender.

Step 6.   Stir in vinegar (optional) and serve.

OTHER SOUTHERN DISHES YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY

• Instant Pot Beef Tips
• Baked Macaroni and Cheese
• Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup
• Baby Lima Beans
• Southern Style Green Beans