Braised Spiced Greens

Braised Spiced Greens Recipe

Looking for a flavorful way to eat your greens? This recipe is for you! These spiced, but not spicy, tender greens melt in your mouth. Be sure to eat up all the flavorful juices in the bottom of the pan (aka, the potlikker) too. And if you’d prefer it spiced and spicy, add a pinch or two of Natural Grocers® Brand Bulk Organic Red Chili Flakes with the other spices while cooking. 

4 (1 cup)
2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 bunches organic rainbow chard and/or spinach, stems removed (reserve chard stems), leaves torn into bite-sized pieces, and washed (no need to dry)
1 small organic onion, diced
2 organic garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon grated organic ginger (from a 1-inch knob)
1⁄4 cup Natural Grocers Brand Organic Original Coconut Milk, (optional, for a slightly sweet and creamy version)
Natural Grocers Brand Bulk seasonings
1 teaspoon Organic Ground Turmeric Root
1 teaspoon Organic Ground Cumin Seed
1⁄2 teaspoon Real Salt
  Optional garnishes: Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Red Chili Flakes and/or Organic White Sesame Seeds

1. Heat a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Chop chard stems, discarding bottom ½-inch of each. Once the skillet is hot, add the olive oil, swirl to coat, and add the chard stems and onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.

2. Add the garlic, ginger, and spices and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the chard and spinach leaves (with a little water from washing still clinging to the leaves) to the skillet. If your leaves are dry add 2-4 tablespoons of water. Cover and cook for a minute, then stir, cover and cook another minute, repeating until all the greens are wilted. Continue to cook covered, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender to your liking, 8-10 minutes total. There should be a little liquid in the pan, but if you’ve got a lot, remove the lid for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to allow some to evaporate.

4. If using, add the coconut milk, stir to combine, and allow to warm through. Serve greens immediately with the juices.

Recommended Beverage: Hard Kombucha

Recommended Style: Watermelon Basil Hard Kombucha

Recommended Brand: Flying Embers