Southern Collards with Cornmeal Dumplings Recipe

This Southern classic combines tender, smoky collard greens with fluffy, flavorful cornmeal dumplings for a comforting and hearty dish. Perfect for gatherings or a taste of down-home cooking, this recipe is sure to impress!

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Ingredients

For the Collards:

• 2 lbs collard greens, washed, trimmed, and chopped
• 1 ham hock or 4 slices of thick-cut bacon
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Cornmeal Dumplings:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Collards:
   • In a large pot, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the ham hock (or bacon) and cook for 3–5 minutes until browned.
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
   • Stir in the collard greens, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly wilted.
   • Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
2. Make the Cornmeal Dumplings:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
   • Stir in the melted butter and buttermilk until a thick batter forms.
3. Add Dumplings to the Pot:
   • Drop spoonfuls of the cornmeal batter onto the simmering collards. Cover the pot tightly and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the dumplings are firm and cooked through.
4. Season and Serve:
   • Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and stir it back into the greens. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
   • Serve the collards and dumplings warm as a main dish or hearty side.

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Nutrition (Per Serving):

• Calories: 220
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 8g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 540mg

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Tips for the Best Southern Collards with Dumplings

1. Collard Greens: Fresh collard greens provide the best flavor, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
2. Smoky Flavor: For a vegetarian version, skip the ham hock and add a teaspoon of liquid smoke for depth.
3. Dumpling Texture: For lighter dumplings, avoid overmixing the batter.