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Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Creamed Collards with Sausage





In looking through various keto recipe sites I found a creamed collards recipe that sounded intriguing__ kind of. I used a little of the original but altered it to fit my southern tastes. This is the version I made because honestly what is better than smoked sausage? (Specifically Conecuh sausage)* Before I go on, let me say this is not a pretty dish, but the flavor is outstanding!

The weather has not been cold enough here for the collards to lose their bitter taste so I used 2 bags of frozen cut collards. Call me a cheater if you have to, but it surely made this an easier prep than washing, cutting,  and washing again before cooking them.


This is the only song I know of that talks about cooked greens!



2 bags frozen chopped collards or a big bunch of fresh
2 (ish) cups chicken broth
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into coins (see change below)
1 teaspoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon -1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (this is a to taste thing)
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
4 ounces cream cheese**
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (could use milk but milk is not keto)

Cook the collards in a largish pot until they are done. Done is a relative term. In the south we like them fairly soft, but you do your thing with them. Drain off any remaining chicken broth (or do like I do and Dave it for the bowl kept in the freezer that holds all remnants to go in a future soup) and set aside for a few minutes.
In a skillet add the oil, onion, and sausage until the sausage is hot and the onion is soft. Then add the garlic stirring quickly and wilt it. Put it in the pot with the collards and add salt and pepper, vinegar to taste and the all spice. Get everything piping hot, but you have to stir pretty much the entire time. Add the cream cheese and stir, stir, stir until it is melted evenly throughout. Add enough heavy cream or milk to reach whatever consistency you like. Serve in a bowl  along with some cornbread. Yum! This made enough for dinner for 2, with an additional lunch and dinner for 1. I will be doing this often during the winter because I love a one dish meal.

What I will do next time: I will quarter the coins so I will have bits of sausage in every single bite.

* Conecuh sausage is made in Alabama and is the best smoked sausage I have ever eaten. Go ahead and buy the best in your area. 
** For a lower fat option Neufchatel cheese might work, but I honestly don't know since it melts a little differently.



27 comments:

  1. I cut foods small in order to get a taste in every bite. I have never heard of creamed collards, but the recipe sounds delicious.

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  2. I had a taste of collard greens in NOLA once and loved the dish. I can see this being a good one even for my northern palate.

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    1. I admit I love collards by themselves so really liking this was not a stretch at all

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  3. The Conecuh sausage is very good, Anne. We can get it here at any grocery store. It’s one of the best ones available.

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    1. I love Conecuh (even though my computer tries to make me say conch) I can find it at Costco here in a five pound package so I freeze it in small portions with just enough for a meal for two. This time it was enough for 4 different meals.

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  4. Thank you for sharing your recipe! I generally cook them in what we call "mallung", which is any leafy greens, shredded finely and cooked with grated coconut, onions, green chilies, turmeric, and other spices. We eat it with rice and curries. :)

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  5. I have never eaten collard greens and I confess that the sight of this dish does not make me want to try them. You're right: It's not pretty!

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. It is a terribly unattractive dish but it was so very tasty

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  6. I haven't had collards since I was a child, but your recipe sounds good. Not a big fan of collards, turnip or mustard greens or kale although we do like spinach. Do you think this dish would work with spinach instead?

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    1. I am sure it would, but it would take a boat load of spinach!

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  7. Love Conecuh sausage ( also Monroe county sausage, which is the next county over from Conecuh county,
    and since I work in a county bordering Monroe, I love to get their sausage) love collards, turnip greens, and mustard greens! I will have to try this, it should so good!!!! Cindy in the South

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    1. I have never had Monroe, but have been seeing all about it lately. My sister and I thought we might take a road trip just to get some.

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  8. Never had creamed collards and I'm not sure about the idea. But I do like creamed spinach and sausage makes everything better, so I bet they are good.

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    1. I had never had them either, but they were delicious.

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  9. I’ve never heard of creamed collards, but I love the ones cooked with a ham hock and drizzled in vinegar!

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  10. I'm SO putting (frozen) collards on my shopping list! Conecuh's already a staple in our home.

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    1. It is a staple in mine too. I understand they have a new Conecuh store. I figure we will stop by on our next trip to the beach.

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  11. I’m surprised that would be diet food in any way. Sounds decadent!
    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Keto is a weird animal. On days like this I do the one meal a day thing, but it was deliciously worth the wait.

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  12. Thanks for the throw back to Tony Joe White. I always thought the lyrics were folk Sally Annie!! Swiss chard, beet greens, kale replace the collard greens here.

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    1. I know collards are not a universally loved green, but I would have to give up my southern card if I didn't eat them.

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  13. Hm, I think I might like these collards! In my teens we lived briefly in Brazil, and collards were a staple. They'd cut out the center rib, slice the greens into long thin strips and stir fry in bacon. I no longer eat pork, but those were so good! I'll try the creamed. Thanks, Celie

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  14. If I buy fresh I always remove the rib and slice them in long strips. Frozen, I suppose I could remove the ribs but, Nah!

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  15. This looks really good. Such an interesting recipe. Not keto, but cornmeal dumplings would be excellent with this. :-)

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    1. It was really good. The cornmeal dumplings would be fabulous!

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