Growing at the Speed of Life - A Year in the Life of My First Kitchen Garden

STEAMED COLLARDS

Just in case you missed it, I really must repeat
the absolute need to strip the leaves from the
very tough stalks. You can mature the stalks in
the refrigerator for 3–4 days to tenderize them
for faster steaming and use in a later dish.
SERVES 4

1 pound collards
¼ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or
¼ teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt

Wash the collards and remove the heavy stems.
Pile a few of the leaves on top of each other, roll
into a cylinder, and cut across into strips. Re­
peat with the rest.
Place the leaves in a steamer; add the basil,
black pepper, lemon juice, and salt. Steam 4–6
minutes or until tender but still nice and green.

Per serving : 28 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 6 g
carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 4 g dietary fi ber, 161 mg
sodium. Exchanges: 1 Vegetable

COLLARDS WITH



A SPICY TWIST

Collards are a grand staple in Southern cook­

ing, but this recipe recommends a much shorter

cooking time than what’s traditionally done, to

retain more color.

SERVES 4

1 pound collard greens

½ teaspoon nonaromatic olive oil

2 ounces Canadian bacon, chopped

(optional)*

½ teaspoon dried thyme

Pinch cayenne

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

*Add smoked paprika to taste if you don’t add the

bacon.

Wash the collards and remove the heavy stems.

Stack a third of the leaves on top of each other

and roll into a cigar. Cut into ¼-inch ribbons.

Repeat with the rest of the greens. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium­

high. Fry the bacon until it starts to color. Add

the collards, thyme, and cayenne, and stir to

mix well. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally,

7 minutes or until the leaves are tender but still

green.

Sprinkle on the lemon juice and serve.

Per serving : 49 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 6 g

carbohydrate, 5 g protein, 4 g dietary fi ber, 207 mg

sodium. Exchanges: 1 Very Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable

130 • GROWING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE