Did you know all you need to make a delicious side dish is some garlic and leafy greens? In fact, sautéed greens with garlic can make 3 different side dishes. Nearly all greens work: spinach, kale, collard greens, morning glory (water spinach), mustard greens, dandelion greens, chard and even bok choy. All you need is a hot pan to cook with, some extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.
Just Using Greens With Garlic, You Can Make 3 Different Dishes
Preparing garlic in different ways can change its flavor and create a new dish. For example, when minced garlic is stir-fried with hot oil and spinach and then seasoned with salt and pepper, it makes a tasty side dish, commonly available in Chinese restaurants.
Or, you can smash the garlic clove with the flat of your knife, breaking it into pieces. After removing the skin:
- Place the pieces into a pan with extra virgin olive oil.
- Stir-fry on medium heat until the garlic starts to brown. The edges will begin to crisp.
- Lightly season with salt and pepper and remove garlic pieces from the pan.
- Then, stir fry the spinach until cooked through and season with salt and pepper to taste. Plate the spinach and top with the caramelized garlic pieces.
There is even a third preparation. Slice the garlic, then lightly fry in olive oil until crisp and season with salt. Note here, when the garlic begins to change color, it’s ready to take out. When the color looks brown they may already be burnt and bitter. Use the garlic chips as a topping for sautéed greens. In this case, it’s spinach seasoned with salt and flavored with pepper.
Now, you have three quick side dish options using the same ingredients-all tasting a little bit different. The next time you find yourself wondering what side dish to make for that roast chicken, steak, pork chop or spaghetti with marinara sauce, look in your refrigerator for any leafy greens you can stir fry with garlic.
