Southern Style Greens

These are the kind of greens you would expect to get at a Meat and Three. They're extremely good for you (despite the bacon fat I add to them) and they're cheap!

I'm using kale in this recipe but any type of dark green works here too (collard, mustard, etc). I love kale. It makes me super happy.

You will need: 1 bunch of kale, 1 Tbsp bacon grease, 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.

BOOM. Easy.

Start by filling up your (very clean) sink with water. Or you can just fill up a REALLY big bowl.

 

Add 2 Tbsp of salt to the water. Don't feel you have to measure out the salt. We're only putting it in because it helps draw out any critters that may be inside the kale.

Now toss all your kale in the water...

Now shove it under the water and shake it around a bit.

Now let it sit in the water for about 10 minutes. Every once in a while, give it another shake around. This helps get the grit out of all the curls and then the grit will sink to the bottom away from your food!

Fill a large pot with about 1-2 inches of water. Turn on the heat and get it to boil.

Now fish a piece of kale out of the water. Pull it apart (like shown) and make sure there is no more grody-ness on the leaf.

Next find the spot where the stem becomes super leafy...

I'll give you hint: it's where my finger is pointing.

Snap that sucker off and discard. Rip the remaining leaf into pieces.

Do you like my new cutting board?!

Technically, it's not new. My dad made it in shop class in high school. However, it's new to me and I love it.

After you do this to each kale leaf, you'll have a giant pile of kale. After it's cooked, you'll have a tiny pile of kale.

 

This sink full of nasty is why you have to wash your greens! I don't know about you, but I don't want to eat that.

By now your water should be boiling so throw in the last tsp of salt...

And the Tbsp of bacon grease. You could also use salt pork here. If you don't know what salt pork is, I'm so sorry.

If you do know what salt pork is, I bet your green beans taste fantastic.

Toss all your kale in the water.

It should fill up the pot.

Now give it a little stir. Try to push all of the kale down into the water.

It will turn this pretty bright green color.

Now throw on the lid and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. To test if it's done, try a piece that has a fairly fat stem on it. The stem takes the longest time to become nice and tender. If the piece you try has a tender stem, your kale is done!

Remember all that kale we had before? It now all fits into a cereal bowl. Top it with a little pepper and you're good to go!

Fun fact: some people like to drink the water the kale cooked in. It's really good for you. I tried it, and it doesn't taste bad at all!

But the kale is where it's at. So tasty.

Southern Style Greens

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of kale, washed, trimmed, and ripped into pieces
• 1 Tbsp bacon grease
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/ tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pot with 1-2 inches of water. Bring to a boil.
2. Add bacon grease, salt, and kale to boiling water. Put lid on pot and cook kale for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove kale from pot with tongs. Top with pepper and serve!