How to Make Great Collard Greens

Few Americans have tried collard greens, that is of course, unless you live in the South. It's usually a time consuming project involving cooking the greens for many hours with a ham hock and/or bacon. The following recipe is a delicious and easy way to cook greens without sacrificing taste.

Things You Will Need:

* bunch of collard greens

* 1 large onion

* pat of butter

* olive oil

* sea salt

Thoroughly rinse the greens making sure no sand or dirt remains. Remove the rib by folding the greens in half and tearing the rib out. Then roll the leaves into "cigars" and slice the greens creating a ribbon (or chiffonade). Set the greens aside.

Cut your onion, and cook over low heat with butter, pinch of sea salt, and olive oil. You want to use a sauté pan that is big enough to hold the onion, and eventually the cooked greens. The onions should caramelize which takes approximately 15-20 min. over low heat.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a separate pan. Once the water is at a roiling boil, add the greens, cover, and cook for 8 minutes. Drain the greens, and them to the caramelized onion mixture, stir so the dish is fully incorporated and heat for 1 minute more. Plate them up, and dive right in!

Note: It's important that you boil the greens first for about 3 minutes. Just sauteing them will make them tough to eat.

Most of us do not eat enough greens, which is a shame as they are loaded with nutrients and help to give us energy. I encourage you all to try a green that you are not familiar with....you may be pleasantly surprised!