Creamed Collards, Southern Style
"I love collard greens and here in this recipe collard greens are taken to an elevated level. Tasty side and a great accompaniment to a special meal."
Ingredients
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- FOR BECHAMEL SAUCE
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (611.5 g)
- Calories 671.9
- Total Fat - 45.8 g
- Saturated Fat - 21.3 g
- Cholesterol - 121.6 mg
- Sodium - 2619.4 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 34 g
- Dietary Fiber - 11.1 g
- Sugars - 10.4 g
- Protein - 33.4 g
- Calcium - 476.3 mg
- Iron - 8 mg
- Vitamin C - 81.2 mg
- Thiamin - 0.6 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Rinse collards greens. Trim and discard thick stems from bottom of collard green leaves (about 2 inches); coarsely chop collard greens.
Step 2
Cook bacon, in batches, in a 8 quart stock pot over medium heat 10 - 12 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in stock pot. Reserve 1/4 cup bacon.
Step 3
Add butter and onions to hot drippings in skillet. Saute onion 8 minutes or until tender.
Step 4
Add collards, in batches, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted.
Step 5
Stir in chicken broth, next 3 ingredients, and remaining bacon.
Step 6
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or to desired degree of tenderness .
Step 7
Drain collards, reserving 1 cup liquid.
Step 8
Stir in Bechamel Sauce. Stir in reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, to desired consistency. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup bacon.
Bechamel Sauce (makes about 4 1/2 cups)
Step 9
NOTE: This sauce can be made ahead for the ease.
Step 10
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add shallots and garlic, and saute for 1 minute.
Step 11
Whisk in flour until smooth; cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
Step 12
Increase heat to medium. Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 5 - 7 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
Step 13
Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Tips
No special items needed.