I had never eaten collard greens before I moved to the United States. When I did start eating them, I'd usually buy them frozen and then saute them with some simple spices like mustard and green chilies. But while I liked them enough, I wasn't really moved. Also, the fact that they take extra-long to cook put them somewhere at the bottom of my list of green favorites.
Then I found a recipe that intrigued me. It came from Madhur Jaffrey's fabulous cookbook "World Vegetarian," and, surprise of surprises, it was a recipe for a Kashmiri-style preparation.
This recipe takes a long time to cook: almost 2 hours. But all the ingredients go into the pot right at the beginning and you don't have to babysit them. So after I get back from work, I can throw together the ingredients into the pot, slap on a lid, go out and water the garden and then walk my dogs without a care in the world. Meanwhile, the collards cook themselves.
The most you might need to do is check a couple of times to make sure not all the water's evaporated before its time. The collards are hefty, so although the long cooking tenderizes them, it doesn't reduce them to a mush. They retain a wonderful texture and bite, and absorb all the myriad flavors of the spices and tomatoes.
I loved this recipe, and I know it's one I will be making again and again. Here goes!
Related recipes
Kashmiri Collard Greens
Equipment
- Saute pan or skillet
Ingredients
- 1 bunch collard greens (about 5-6 leaves, stems removed, then rolled up and cut into long, skinny ribbons)
- 1 tomato (dunked into boiling water for a minute, then peeled and diced)
- 1 large onion , thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes (or cayenne)
- 1 ½ cups water
Instructions
- Heat the oil and add the onions. Saute on medium heat until nicely browned.
- Add the ginger and garlic and stir for a minute.
- Add the tomato and stir for another minute.
- Add the collard greens, salt, red chilli flakes and water.
- When it comes to a boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid, turn the heat to low, and allow the veggies to simmer away for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- If there is still water remaining at the bottom of the pan, turn the heat to medium or high and let it evaporate.
- Serve hot as a side dish with rice and dal or with rotis.
Kel BasAvraham
As a Southern born and bred, I love collard in all their myriad forms and incarnations! This recipe will serve very nicely as an addition to my vegan collection! Thanks...and I'll post any updates, should I do any tinkering, which is likely, since friends point out I can't leave well enough alone!
Katherine
I made this, with a few minor modifications, with the collard greens that came in my farm box. Wow, it was fantastic! Not a bit like the cornbread and turnip greens of my youth. I served it with Southern Polenta - that is to say, grits. It seemed appropriate, and it went really well.
Girdharilal Kuchroo
where collard green in mumbai
Vani H
looks delicious! You can probably substitute Kale for the collard greens too.
Vani
Looks yum, Vaishali! I hated all greens when I was younger. Now I love 'em all! 🙂
Madhavi
I never heard abt this green, but look healthy and delicious!!!!
srikars kitchen
wow... looks yummy & delicious... nice entry...
ANJALI J.
wow! i had never heard abt collard greens.. Im wondering how they look. and thanks vaishali for letting me know abt that event.. will send my recipe to it.
Richa
wow! that subzi is jumping right off the screen...and on to my plate 😉 lovely!!
Divya Vikram
This is new to me..Sounds healthy
Uma
I usually make stir fry with collard greens. As they are dry, the stir fry comes out perfect.
I love your recipe too. Looks so delicious.
sowmya
very good recipe..i really enjoy reading your posts!!
shah
Your blog look similar like my blog ..visit myblog @ Becoming a VegetarianDont forget to add me to your site ..Thanks..
Usha
Very interesting,looks like collard greens will go on my grocery list this week 🙂
ChocolateCoveredVegan
You're right; this DOES look easy even though it takes a while to cook. I am putting it down on my to-make list, because I love collard greens but never know what to do with 'em besides eating them in salads.
Divya
Clever me left you a comment and closed the window without sending I think.
Did you get it?
It went something like this:
Nice recipe today! I have something that you might enjoy reading and seeing in my blog today. Not another award 😉 but something I enjoyed making as promised.
Pete
Very nice with roti.....my stomach is rumbling. Can I come over for dinner? LOL
Mihl
I have never eaten collard greens. You can't get them in Germany. They look absolutely fantastic the way you prepared them. And what a coincidence, I've been cooking a lot from Madhur Jaffrey's book lately. (I am trying my best to learn how to cook Indian dishes.)
Rajee
Great recipe Vaishali. I have been lurking around but havent left any comments. So here I am leaving you one with a surprise 🙂 Please pick your award from . Hope you'll accept it.
raaji
Collard greens are real such a healthy leaf-veggy.I love its flavor.....
Cham
Tip:If the green takes a long time to cook, try to add tomato and salt once the greens are almost cooked. My mom says the tomo or tamar tangyness harden the green!
Never tried collard green sounds delicious the curry