Tangy Braised Collard Greens with White Beans and Lime

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For this Brazilian side dish, Daniel Boulud gives braised collards and silky white beans an unusual accent of fresh lime juice. Slideshow:  More Recipes by Daniel Boulud 

Tangy Braised Collard Greens with White Beans and Lime
Photo: © Roland Persson
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 30 mins
Yield:
12

Ingredients

  • 1 pound small dried white beans, such as French navy beans, picked over

  • 3 medium onions, 2 thinly sliced

  • 1 small carrot

  • 1 thyme sprig

  • 1 rosemary sprig

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 quart chicken stock or low-sodium broth

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 5 pounds tender collard greens—stems and inner ribs removed, leaves cut into 1-inch ribbons

  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Directions

  1. In a large pot, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour.

  2. Drain the beans and return them to the pot. Add the whole onion, carrot, thyme, rosemary and bay leaf. Add the stock and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the beans are nearly tender, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain the beans and reserve the cooking liquid. Discard all of the other solids.

  3. In a very large pot, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the collards and cook, tossing, until wilted slightly. Add half of the reserved bean cooking liquid, cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the collards are tender, about 1 hour.

  4. Add the beans and the remaining bean cooking liquid to the pot and cook until the beans are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the lime zest and juice, season with salt and pepper and serve.

Make Ahead

The cooked collards can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and stir in the lime juice and zest just before serving.

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