Collard Green Dip

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Ease of Preparation: Moderate

Servings: 8

In the South, collard greens are an abundant, but not well-respected green. This recipe takes lowly collards and elevates them in a delicious and creamy dip that can be served with crostini, pita chips, or corn chips.

Ingredients (use organic ingredients where available):

• 1 bunch (14 leaves) collard greens, washed and ribs removed
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons diced yellow onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 jar (6 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese or 1 ounce mozzarella, cut into 4 slices
• crostini or pita chips

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the collard greens and cook for 2 minutes to blanch, Drain the leaves and pat dry with paper towels. Stack the leaves and roll into a cigar. Cut the cigar in half lengthwise and thinly slice crosswise into long stripes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 34 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the broth and half-and-half, increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Add the Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne. Stir until the cheese has melted.

Pour the cheese mixture into a food processor and add the slivered greens. Blend to pulse until the greens are in small pieces. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook for 5 minutes to heat through.

Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and artichokes.

Pour the mixture into an 8 x 8-inch glass baking dish. Top with the mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Serve with crostini or pita chips.