Collard Greens

Greens are part of the traditional New Years Day meal in the South. Eating greens on New Years Day is supposed to bring you money in the new year. Finding a delicious vegetarian greens recipe is definitely a challenge. I found this recipe in the Grit Restaurant cook book. You will need to make their gravy recipe for this recipe. It can be found on my blog here.

This recipe is lock, stock and barrel from The Grit Restaurant Cookbook. The only changes I made were to the Grit Yeast Gravy which I posted yesterday, simply as Vegetarian Gravy. Again, I highly recommend this cookbook. It is amazing and for the record I am not getting anything for saying this. My mom collects cookbooks from GA restaurants, churches, civic organizations, etc.

1 large bunch (about 3 pounds) fresh collard greens, well rinsed
Water
3/4 cup Vegetarian Gravy
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1. Strip the stems from the leaves of the greens. Roll handfuls of leaves as if rolling a cigar and cut into narrow strips, then chop the strips as needed into smaller pieces.
2. Place greens into a large stockpot. Add enough water to cover the greens when the greens are forced down by hand to the bottom of your pot. Then add 3 cups of water.
3. Place pot on the stove over medium high heat, stir in the remaining ingredients, and cover. Bring to a vigorous boil, stirring occasionally.
4. Cook the greens for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the desired tenderness.
5. Serve warm with some fresh cornbeard to soak up all that pot liquior!

Serves 12, 1-cup servings: 39 calories, 1 gram of fat and 3 gram of fiber