Smoked Braised Mixed Greens Recipes

BRAISED SMOKED COLLARD GREENS WITH PEPPER VINEGAR

Steps:

• To make the pepper vinegar: Bring the vinegar and sugar to a boil and stir to dissolve. Add the chiles and cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours to overnight.
• Smoke the collards in 2 batches: Preheat the oven to 200°F. To create a smoker, use two large aluminum pans. First, heat the wood chips in a cast-iron pan over hight heat, until they begin to smoke. Remove the cast-iron pan from the heat and place the hot wood chips in one of the aluminum pans. Then, using a small but sharp knife, punch holes in the bottom of the second pan and place it on top of the first pan with the wood chips inside. Add the collards to the top pan, place in the oven, and smoke for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• In a Dutch oven, sweat the red and white onions, leeks, and shallot with 2 cups of the olive oil and a nice pinch of salt. Add the smoked collards in increments until they cook down, then add more. Once all of the collards are in the pot, add the remaining oil and 8 cups of water. Cook, covered, on low heat, until done, about 1½ to 2 hours.
• To serve: Dress the collard greens with the pepper vinegar to taste.

SMOKED TURKEY BRAISED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. When butter melts into extra-virgin olive oil, add smoked turkey and caramelize meat, a couple of minutes on each side. Add onions and cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Wilt greens into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook and toss the greens a minute or 2 more then add the vinegar - lean back - sugar and hot sauce. Cook off vinegar for a minute then add beer or stock, enough to coat the pan and loosen up greens in liquid. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer greens 10 to 15 minutes until no longer bitter.

BRAISED GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a 6-quart casserole over medium heat. Add the bacon and duck fat and cook for five minutes to render the fat from the bacon. Add the garlic, shallot, and chiles and cook until softened but not browned, about 2 minutes. Add the greens, reduce the heat to low, add the vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Cook the greens down until they're tender, about 1 hour. Drizzle with the honey and mix well.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

SMOKED TURKEY BRAISED GREENS (RECIPE COURTESY RACHAEL RAY)

Steps:

• Difficulty: Easy.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter.
• When butter melts into extra-virgin olive
• oil, add smoked turkey and caramelize meat, a couple of minutes on each side.
• Add onions and cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Wilt greens into the pan and season with salt and pepper.
• Cook and toss the greens a minute or 2 more then add the vinegar - lean back so the fumes don't knock you out - sugar and hot sauce.
• Cook off vinegar for a minute then add beer or stock, enough to coat the pan and loosen up greens in liquid.
• Reduce heat to medium low.
• Simmer greens 10 to 15 minutes until no longer bitter.