Simple Garlicky Greens (Kale, Collards, or Chard)

This is a basic way to prepare sautéed chard, kale, or collard greens. Sometimes simple is best —definitely true when it comes to something as good as leafy greens!

Serves: 4 to 6

• 1 large bunch greens of your choice
  (chard, kale, or collard greens)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1/2 lemon or apple cider vinegar to taste
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Remove stems and thick mid-ribs from whatever type of greens you are using. Wash the leaves thoroughly, dousing a batch at a time in a large bowl to make sure that all sand and grit are removed.

If you’d like to use the midribs, slice them very thinly. Otherwise, discard them (you may want to discard collard stems in any case; they’re pretty tough). Stack a few leaves atop one another and cut into wide strips.

Heat the oil in a soup pot or steep-sided stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and sauté over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden.

Add the greens to the pot and stir to coat with the oil. Add just enough water to keep the bottom of the pot moist. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the greens are bright green and just tender. Swiss chard takes 3 to 5 minutes; kale and collards about 5 to 8 minutes.

Add the lemon juice or vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve at once straight from the cooking vessel, or transfer to a covered container to serve from.

• See VegKitchen’s entire selection of kale recipes.
• Here are more recipes for hardy greens.