Southern-Style Collards

Collard greens, a beloved Southern staple, are traditionally cooked with animal fat for rich flavor. However, you can still savor the delicious taste of Southern-style collards with a vegetarian twist by adding liquid smoke and soy sauce to the broth. This delightful recipe captures the essence of Southern comfort food while remaining entirely vegetarian.

Serves: 4–6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound collard greens
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 chipotle chili pepper
• 4 cups Pressure Cooker Vegetable Stock
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare the Collard Greens: Begin by removing the tough stalks and stems from the collard greens. Discard any leaves that appear bruised or yellow.
2. Thoroughly wash the collards 2-3 times to remove any grit, ensuring they are clean.
3. Chop the collard greens into large pieces and set them aside for later use.
4. Sauté the Aromatics: In the pressure cooker, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
5. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and chipotle chili pepper to the hot oil.
6. Cook this mixture until the onion begins to soften, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
7. Add the Ingredients: Stir in all the remaining ingredients, except for the salt and pepper. This includes the prepared collard greens, Pressure Cooker Vegetable Stock, liquid smoke, soy sauce, and white vinegar.
8. Ensure that all the ingredients are well combined in the pressure cooker.
9. Pressure Cook: Lock the lid of the pressure cooker into place.
10. Bring the pressure cooker to high pressure, and then maintain this pressure for 10 minutes.
11. After the cooking time is complete, remove the pressure cooker from the heat source and allow the pressure to release naturally.
12. Season and Serve: Before serving, make sure to remove the chipotle chili pepper from the cooked collard greens.
13. Season the Southern-style collards with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.

This Southern-Style Collards recipe offers you a vegetarian twist on a beloved Southern classic. With the addition of liquid smoke and soy sauce, you’ll enjoy the same comforting flavors that make Southern-style collard greens a cherished dish.

The hearty collard greens, combined with the aromatic onions, garlic, and chipotle chili pepper, create a dish that’s rich in taste and texture. The vegetable stock, liquid smoke, and soy sauce infuse these greens with a smoky, savory essence that’s truly satisfying.

Whether served as a side dish or a main course, these Southern-style collard greens capture the essence of Southern comfort food in every bite. Enjoy this vegetarian version and savor the taste of the South without compromising on flavor or tradition.