This easy side dish will take just a few minutes to make, and is a welcome addition to any meal! Mustard greens are thinner and a little more delicate than the heartier greens we grow like kale and collards. You don’t have to remove the stems, just chop into bite size pieces and swish in some water. Let the water cling to the greens – it helps steam the greens. These are flavored with pureed chipotle in adobo. Chipotle in adobo is easy to find in most grocery stores, check the ethnic food aisle. When you buy a can, just puree the contents and store in the refrigerator. It keeps for a long time and adds a lot of flavor to dishes like beans and greens.
Mustard greens are a little bitter by nature, but I find that a splash of apple cider vinegar with the spicy chipotle is a great compliment. You can blanch the greens and then put in a sauté pan to reduce the bitter flavor, but by then they will have cooked down a lot! It’s easy to just heat some oil, add the greens, cover to steam, and stir in the flavorings.
Chipotle Mustard Greens
1 bunch mustard greens
1 teaspoon chipotle puree
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Cut the greens into bite size pieces, then use the strainer bowl of a salad spinner to rinse in 2 -3 batches of clean water. Let the water cling to the greens, no need to spin dry.
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the greens in batches if necessary, cover and let steam for 2 -3 minutes or until softened. Remove the lid, and stir in the apple cider vinegar, salt, and chipotle purée. Stir to combine, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
