Collard Greens

• 1 lb collard greens, chopped
• 1 medium clove chopped garlic
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
•  salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional:
•  Add butter in place of olive oil
•  Cook with onions (onions in steamer basket 2 minutes before collard greens) and add some tamari (soy sauce)
•  Cook with onions and add hot sauce to the ingredients above
•  Add cayenne, chopped chili peppers or hot sauce
•  Add sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, and dulse (sea vegetable) flakes
•  Add carrots and zucchini to steamer basket

Directions

1. Directions:
2. Chop garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to bring out its health-promoting properties.
3. Rinse the collard greens under cold running water just before cutting.
4. Cut off tough, bottom part of collard green stems. Cut leaves into ½” slices. Cut stems into 1/4” slices. Cut crosswise as well to make small pieces.
5. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes.
6. Use a large pot (3 quart) and put 2 inches of water in the bottom of the pot. Make sure water is at a rapid boil before adding collard greens.
7. Add the chopped leaves/stems to a steamer and place in pot. Cover. Steam for 5 minutes; begin timing as soon as you drop the steamer basket into the boiling water.
8. Place in colander and press out excess water.
9. Transfer to serving dish and toss with rest of ingredients while it is still hot.