For the cornbread, bacon grease is the most traditional, butter creates a rich aromatic flavor and vegetable oil, such as canola, lets the flavor of the stone-ground corn shine.

Recipe courtesy of Virginia Willis

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Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and Whole Grain Buttermilk Cornbread

Total:: 50 min
Prep:: 15 min
Cook:: 35 min

Yield:: 6 servings

Level:: Easy

Ingredients

Whole Grain Buttermilk Cornbread:

2 tablespoons bacon grease, unsalted butter or vegetable oil
2 cups whole grain yellow cornmeal (not cornmeal mix or self-rising cornmeal)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Collard Greens:

2 pounds young collard greens (about 2 bunches), tough stems removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 cups chicken stock or reduced-fat low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 bay leaf, preferably fresh
1 smoked turkey drumstick
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Butter, for serving cornbread, optional

Directions

For the whole grain buttermilk cornbread: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the fat in a 10 1/2-inch cast-iron skillet or ovenproof baking dish and heat in the oven until sizzling, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the cornmeal, baking soda and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk and egg. Add the buttermilk combination to the cornmeal mixture and stir to combine.

Remove the heated skillet from the oven and carefully pour the hot fat into the batter. Stir to combine, and then pour the batter back into the hot skillet. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool slightly. Cut with a serrated knife just before serving.

For the collard greens: While the cornbread is baking, stack several collard leaves at a time and cut into 1/4-inch strips; repeat until all the leaves are shredded.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until clear and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the greens, stock, vinegar, red pepper flakes, bay leaf and turkey; season with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook until the greens are just tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. If desired, shred the meat off the turkey drumstick to serve with the collards.

Serve immediately with hot buttered cornbread.

Cook's Note

Look for cornmeal that is whole grain and not de-germinated. Look for stone-ground artisan meal or a national brand such as Bob's Red Mill. The cornbread keeps in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

My Private Notes

Name: Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and Whole Grain Buttermilk Cornbread
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H35M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H50M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons bacon grease, unsalted butter or vegetable oil; 2 cups whole grain yellow cornmeal (not cornmeal mix or self-rising cornmeal); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 2 cups buttermilk; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 2 pounds young collard greens (about 2 bunches), tough stems removed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, chopped; 1 clove garlic, finely chopped; 4 cups chicken stock or reduced-fat low-sodium chicken broth; 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 bay leaf, preferably fresh; 1 smoked turkey drumstick; Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; Butter, for serving cornbread, optional