Don’t assume you have to toss the stems when cooking with leafy greens such as kale and chard—we find they add a nice grassy flavor when cooked along with the leaves. Here are our favorite recipes that make use of both the leaves and stems of leafy greens.
The intricate notes of anise and nutmeg compliment the mildness of the bok choy and peppery mustard greens. With so many flavors at play, you’ll want to serve this dish with plain steamed white rice. Get the recipe for Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok ChoyCooked Wild Greens Salad
This dish is made with wild mallow leaves in Morocco, but it’s equally good with arugula, Swiss chard, purslane, young kale, or beet greens. See the Cooked Wild Greens Salad RecipeChristopher Hirsheimer
Lentils with Swiss Chard and Khlea
Khlea, preserved lamb or beef, is used to flavor a variety of Moroccan dishes. Here, it combines with tiny, light brown lentils—whole Indian masoor or Spanish pardena lentils are a good substitute—for a creamy stewed dish. See the recipe for Lentils with Swiss Chard and Khlea »
A favorite side dish to many Southern meals. Collard greens soak up the flavors they are cooked in and respond well to a low and slow method of preparation. See the recipe for Sautéed Collard Greens »
At the Houston restaurant Reef, Chinese broccoli, brightened with ginger and chiles, is served alongside redfish on the half shell. See the recipe for Sautéed Chinese Broccoli
