Four Pounds of Greens
Yesterday, I spent the better part of the late morning and early afternoon attempting to stain my chair. I quickly learned that staining isn't easy and filled with smiles like those damn refinishing books claim. It's hard and messy. As you can see, about half-way through I decided I hated the color (and quite frankly, my application). I cracked open my refinishing books and found a little disclaimer -- "whatever you do, never, ever, follow the directions on the back of the stain can" (or something to that effect). Great. Minwax is full of shit, and I have a chair that I hate. Apparently, in order to get a nice finish, you are supposed to apply the stain to the wood while the wood conditioner is still wet (the exact opposite action of the directions on the can). So, today I am off to the store to buy more 80 grit sandpaper and will be sanding away my mistakes this week. Yay.
Feeling completely deflated, I decided that I needed to be successful at something. I enlisted Jesse to come with me to the grocery store to plan an elaborate dinner. We ended up with a trunk full of bags containing enough groceries to make dinners for an entire week. Last night though, I was focused on one thing -- making a successful batch of collard greens, Oohhs and Aahh's style (even though their version is vegetarian, mine is not). I had never made collards before, even though they rank pretty high on one of my favorite dishes ever. My mom hated the smell of them cooking when I was growing up, so I only ever ate them at restaurants as a kid. As a result, I never learned to make them either. It's difficult not having a family recipe to fall back on, like my Mom's gumbo or jambalaya. 
After reading through a few recipes, I found one that sounded about right -- 4 pounds of greens, 3 onions, 1/2 pound bacon, some vinegar, broth, and red pepper flakes. Simple and delicious. I found out that it is not easy to fit 4 pounds of greens in one dutch oven (and this is a pretty huge one). As you can see, I had to mush the greens on top and fold over the hot liquid on the bottom to make them submit. It took a few minutes, but they eventually loosened up and settled in the bottom. 
The greens cook for about an hour and turn out nice and tender, but not mushy. Jesse and I couldn't wait to eat them as a side dish, so we each sampled a little bowl before bed. I declare them a success! They will be the perfect accompaniment to the chicken and stuffing I am going to make this evening.
Yesterday, I spent the better part of the late morning and early afternoon attempting to stain my chair. I quickly learned that staining isn't easy and filled with smiles like those damn refinishing books claim. It's hard and messy. As you can see, about half-way through I decided I hated the color (and quite frankly, my application). I cracked open my refinishing books and found a little disclaimer -- "whatever you do, never, ever, follow the directions on the back of the stain can" (or something to that effect). Great. Minwax is full of shit, and I have a chair that I hate. Apparently, in order to get a nice finish, you are supposed to apply the stain to the wood while the wood conditioner is still wet (the exact opposite action of the directions on the can). So, today I am off to the store to buy more 80 grit sandpaper and will be sanding away my mistakes this week. Yay.
Feeling completely deflated, I decided that I needed to be successful at something. I enlisted Jesse to come with me to the grocery store to plan an elaborate dinner. We ended up with a trunk full of bags containing enough groceries to make dinners for an entire week. Last night though, I was focused on one thing -- making a successful batch of collard greens, Oohhs and Aahh's style (even though their version is vegetarian, mine is not). I had never made collards before, even though they rank pretty high on one of my favorite dishes ever. My mom hated the smell of them cooking when I was growing up, so I only ever ate them at restaurants as a kid. As a result, I never learned to make them either. It's difficult not having a family recipe to fall back on, like my Mom's gumbo or jambalaya. 
After reading through a few recipes, I found one that sounded about right -- 4 pounds of greens, 3 onions, 1/2 pound bacon, some vinegar, broth, and red pepper flakes. Simple and delicious. I found out that it is not easy to fit 4 pounds of greens in one dutch oven (and this is a pretty huge one). As you can see, I had to mush the greens on top and fold over the hot liquid on the bottom to make them submit. It took a few minutes, but they eventually loosened up and settled in the bottom. 
The greens cook for about an hour and turn out nice and tender, but not mushy. Jesse and I couldn't wait to eat them as a side dish, so we each sampled a little bowl before bed. I declare them a success! They will be the perfect accompaniment to the chicken and stuffing I am going to make this evening.
6 comments:
Hope you have enough for three, I'll be there at 7!
I wish! That would be rad.
Sounds like someone needs to make some pulled pork to go wit dem greens.
Pulled pork would be delicious. I'm seriously mourning the loss of our slow cooker right now (we decided not to take it with us). The idea of braising a pork shoulder in the oven sounds about as fun as sanding my chair!
Your post reminds me of how, in the Piggly Wiggly, they sell ham hocks in the produce section with the collard greens.
It's a beautiful thing.
There's nothing better than pork 'n greens.
Post a Comment