We skip the meat main and make beloved Southern sides the focus of the meal—easy to do with a heap of garlicky braised greens and protein-packed pinto beans with a hit of crispy bacon. Serve with skillet cornbread: Heat a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop while the oven preheats, and swirl in a couple teaspoons oil to the pan before adding the batter. If you can’t find collards, substitute stemmed curly kale or turnip greens, checking for doneness at around 20 minutes. For a vegetarian meal, sub vegetable stock for chicken stock and 1 tablespoon canola oil for the bacon drippings.
Try this in Sautéed Snapper with Curried Greens and Smoky Potato and Greens Tacos.
How to Make It
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Slice 8 garlic cloves. Add sliced garlic and sliced onion to pan; cook until slightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 cups stock, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and greens. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until very tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in vinegar. Reserve 5 cups greens for Sautéed Snapper with Curried Greens and Smoky Potato and Greens Tacos.
Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium-high until crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon. Mince remaining 3 garlic cloves. Add minced garlic, bell pepper, and chopped onion to drippings in pan; sauté 4 minutes. Stir in cumin; cook 1 minute. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup stock, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, beans, and black pepper; cook 4 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and cooked bacon. Serve with collard greens and hot sauce, if desired.