How to Make Yummy Greens
We all know we should do it, but it’s usually easier said than done. We start the day out with such good intentions, but before you know it, the day is over and we’ve failed yet again.
What is it I speak of? Why, eating more LEAFY GREENS, of course!
Of all the foods you could add to your diet to start the path towards a healthier life, I would have to say leafy greens would be at the top of the list. They are jam-packed with antioxidants like manganese, vitamin A and C (boost your immune system, eyesight, cut down on inflammation–helloooo, every chronic disease!), one of the best dietary sources of vitamin K you can find (necessary for blood-clotting- pregnant mamas, eat lots of of this to pass on to your babies!). They are an excellent source of iron as well. Plus, all that good fiber to keep you feelin’ regular day after day (which also has cholesterol-lowering abilities, as the fiber binds with the excess cholesterol that was stored in our gall bladder before being released into the intestines. Without fiber, it gets re-absorbed into the body). And, as cruciferous vegetables, they are AWESOME cancer-fighters.
Let’s be honest here. One of the reasons why it’s difficult to stick to the goal of eating more greens is, well…they don’t always tend to taste especially delicious. There’s a dish my mom makes that we like to fondly call “Purgatory Greens.” This has no reflection on her cooking abilities – merely that it’s a bunch of organic greens from the CSA including MUSTARD GREENS *cringe*, and as far as I’ve found, there is absolutely no edible way to prepare mustard greens.
There ARE, however, delicious ways to prepare almost every other kind of greens. Last night, we made chicken satay with peanut sauce (recipe to come!) and THE most delicious collard greens you will ever eat. Seriously…I could not get enough of them. We were just chowin’ down on greens like nobody’s business. How often does that happen?! I felt so healthy and accomplished (although, the accomplished feeling might have stemmed more from the fact that we finally took down our Christmas tree yesterday. Don’t judge.)
If you read my post about the 3 ingredients that will save any dish, you won’t be surprised to find that this dish has….drumroll please….CARAMELIZED ONIONS! Woohoo!
Seriously, try this dish. It is SO GOOD and so easy. And it will give you superpowers.
Rockin’ Collard Greens
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coconut oil1 large onion, sliced
2 shakes of balsamic vinegar (1/2 Tablespoon? Do what feels good.)
6-8 large fresh collard leaves, shredded
3 garlic cloves, minced
A splash of Merlot (big splash or small splash – your choice ;-)
Directions:
Heat coconut oil in a large cast iron skillet and caramelize onions over medium heat, approximately 15 minutes.
About halfway through, add balsamic vinegar, collard greens, and garlic. Increase heat to medium-high and cook for another 5-10 minutes, until the greens have a “crispy” sort of feel.
Add Merlot and stir for a few more minutes.
Serve up a heaping helping, and feel good about it!
Let me know if you try this recipe! It’s a great way to use up all those greens that are growing in the garden right now, and would work with kale, swiss chard, or spinach as well (although the spinach would cook much more quickly).
