Simple Braised Greens

By Jeannette Ordas of Everybody likes Sandwiches


Even though summer is over with, we're still receiving our weekly CSA (community sponsored agriculture) share. The zucchini and green beans have dwindled, but the leafy greens keep going strong. Every week I get a big bunch of chard, kale or mustard greens and I make sure that I prepare it within a day or so. Carrots, beets and winter squash can wait in the crisper until inspiration hits – but the greens must be eaten quickly or it's wilt city.

One of the simplest and easiest way to prepare greens is to braise them. I like to use a bit of stock (veggie or chicken works well) but I've also used pasta water when the need arises. Braised greens seem like a humble dish, but don't let them fool you. While these greens work well as a side dish, they become truly transformative thrown on top of a bowl full of soft cheesy polenta or tossed with some noodles. Or eat them for breakfast like I did because a perfectly poached egg and some buttered toast certainly does these greens no harm at all.


Simple Braised Greens
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, sliced thin
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 bunch mustard greens (or spinach)
1 large bunch of chard
2 tablespoons vegetable stock
1/2 lemon
salt & pepper

Prep chard and greens by removing any hard stems. Rinse well under cold water and slice each bunch into one inch ribbons.

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat and add in onion and garlic. Saute until soft and lightly golden. Add in the greens, stock, and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Stir about until they turn wilty and deep green - about 5 to 10 minutes. Give a good grind of pepper and squeeze in the lemon juice. Stir once more, checking seasoning and serve immediately.

Jan Halvarson

7 comments:

annamaria potamiti said...

Oh yum!thank you for this! I have never got around cooking kale ever before because I didn't really know what to do with it. Mmm, something new on the stove top!:)

Valeria @ Hindsvik said...

Wow, looks delicious! And an easy way to get your greens in for breakfast!

Ale said...

Yum Yum!
:D

the wandering fork said...

I'm all about that!

morgan said...

ooooh this is making me really hungry

Vania Wong said...

oh my goodness! And I thought I had the most perfectly poached eggs at Pastis in NYC. But I gotta say - that photo takes top dog!

Anonymous said...

o my, normally i would just make up my own thing for something this deceptively simple... but i followed your recipe to a T and i inhaled it. i wish i had taken the time to savour every single bite. oh well next time.