COLLARD GREENS

Ingredients
11/2 pound smoked meat (ham hocks, smoked turkey wings, or smoked neck bones)
5 bunches collard greens - rinsed, trimmed and chopped (4 bags of *pre-washed greens
2-3 cups water (just to cover the meat)
5 cups chicken stock or (low sodium chicken stock in the can or cartons)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 onion coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste

Preparation:
In an extra large pot, bring ham hocks and water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.

Immerse greens in a sink full of water and wash well to remove sand and grit. Lift out, drain water, fill sink, and repeat the procedure approximately 3 or 4 times to ensure they are clean and free of sand, grit and insects. Cut out the thickest part of stems that runs down the center and coarsely chop the greens.

Increase the heat under the hocks to medium-high; add about 1/3 of the greens to the pot. Cover, and cook for about 5 minutes, until wilted. Add remaining greens in two more batches, until all the greens fit into the pot.

Stir in the broth, garlic, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally about 2 hour or until the greens are tender. When done taste and adjust **seasoning.

Remove ham hocks and cut meat from bones. Dice and add back to the greens. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a serving bowl. If desired, pass the juices (also known as pot liquor) for dipping cornbread.

*wash your pre-washed greens just one time (yes they need to be wash).
** If it need a little salt, this is the time to add the salt.

STRING BEANS AND POTATOES

Ingredients
2 pounds green beans, cleaned and *snapped or 2 (14.5 ounce) cans cut green beans, drained)
1/4-1/2 pound thinly sliced ham
10 small **red potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
water
salt and pepper to taste
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preparation:
Place the ham slices in a large pot. Add about 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until ham is tender.Remove ham from pot and cut into small pieces.
Return to the pot and add the beans, potatoes and onions. Season with pepper. Add a bit more water if needed, but not too much. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until beans are very tender, about 1 hour. (Cooking time will depend on the age of the beans.)
Taste the beans and add salt if needed but, since country ham is very salty, additional salt will probably not be necessary.
If there appears to be too much broth, cook on high without the cover until some of the moisture evaporates. Add butter to beans and stir until melted; replace lid and cook an additional 10 minutes. This will keep, covered, over low heat until serving.

Notes: If you use country ham it is a little salty.

* any boiling potatoes will work, Yukon Gold are great also.
**snap off the ends and discard them, an any diseased or browny parts.
snap them in half and wash