Recipes Using Leafy Green Stems

Don't assume you have to toss the stems when cooking with leafy greens such as kale and chard—we find they add a nice grassy flavor when cooked along with the leaves. Here are our favorite recipes that make use of both the leaves and stems of leafy greens.

Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy
Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy

The intricate notes of anise and nutmeg compliment the mildness of the bok choy and peppery mustard greens. With so many flavors at play, you’ll want to serve this dish with plain steamed white rice. Get the recipe for Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy

Cooked Wild Greens Salad
This dish is made with wild mallow leaves in Morocco, but it's equally good with arugula, Swiss chard, purslane, young kale, or beet greens. See the Cooked Wild Greens Salad Recipe
Lentils with Swiss Chard and Khlea

Khlea, preserved lamb or beef, is used to flavor a variety of Moroccan dishes. Here, it combines with tiny, light brown lentils—whole Indian masoor or Spanish pardena lentils are a good substitute—for a creamy stewed dish. See the recipe for Lentils with Swiss Chard and Khlea »

Cavolo nero (Tuscan kale) bruschetta
Cavolo Nero and Prosciutto Bruschetta

Cavolo nero, also known as Tuscan kale, Lacinato kale, or Dinosaur kale, balances thinly sliced, salty prosciutto over toast. Get the recipe for Cavolo Nero and Prosciutto Bruschetta »

Sautéed Collard Greens

A favorite side dish to many Southern meals. Collard greens soak up the flavors they are cooked in and respond well to a low and slow method of preparation. See the recipe for Sautéed Collard Greens »

Broccoli Rabe, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Zest Pizza
Broccoli Rabe, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Zest Pizza

Fresh spring greens, soft goat cheese, and lemon zest makes a bright and springy pizza perfect for the season.

Sautéed Chinese Broccoli
Sautéed Chinese Broccoli

At the Houston restaurant Reef, Chinese broccoli, brightened with ginger and chiles, is served alongside redfish on the half shell. See the recipe for Sautéed Chinese Broccoli

flat bread sandwich
Umbrian Flat Bread Sandwiches (Torta al Testo)

These simple broccoli rabe–sausage sandwiches are a favorite postmarket lunch of cook and author Lidia Bastianich. See the recipe for Umbrian Flat Bread Sandwiches (Torta al Testo) »

Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)
Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)

These Greek pastries unite a buttery crust with bright-tasting fennel and feta cheese. Get the recipe for Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)»

Wild Greens with Fried Eggs (Horta me Avga Tiganita)
Wild Greens with Fried Eggs (Horta me Avga Tiganita)

Wild Greens with Fried Eggs (Horta me Avga Tiganita)

Pulled Pork Italiano
Pulled Pork Italiano

Pulled Pork Italiano

Sindhi Mixed Greens (Sai Bhaaji)
Sindhi Mixed Greens (Sai Bhaaji)

Fenugreek greens, a Sindhi favorite, are the centerpiece of this hearty stew.

Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy
CHRISTOPHER HIRSHEIMER
Recipes

Recipes Using Leafy Green Stems

Don't assume you have to toss the stems when cooking with leafy greens such as kale and chard—we find they add a nice grassy flavor when cooked along with the leaves. Here are our favorite recipes that make use of both the leaves and stems of leafy greens.

Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy
Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy

The intricate notes of anise and nutmeg compliment the mildness of the bok choy and peppery mustard greens. With so many flavors at play, you’ll want to serve this dish with plain steamed white rice. Get the recipe for Braised Duck Legs with Mustard Greens and Bok Choy

Cooked Wild Greens Salad
This dish is made with wild mallow leaves in Morocco, but it's equally good with arugula, Swiss chard, purslane, young kale, or beet greens. See the Cooked Wild Greens Salad Recipe
Lentils with Swiss Chard and Khlea

Khlea, preserved lamb or beef, is used to flavor a variety of Moroccan dishes. Here, it combines with tiny, light brown lentils—whole Indian masoor or Spanish pardena lentils are a good substitute—for a creamy stewed dish. See the recipe for Lentils with Swiss Chard and Khlea »

Cavolo nero (Tuscan kale) bruschetta
Cavolo Nero and Prosciutto Bruschetta

Cavolo nero, also known as Tuscan kale, Lacinato kale, or Dinosaur kale, balances thinly sliced, salty prosciutto over toast. Get the recipe for Cavolo Nero and Prosciutto Bruschetta »

Sautéed Collard Greens

A favorite side dish to many Southern meals. Collard greens soak up the flavors they are cooked in and respond well to a low and slow method of preparation. See the recipe for Sautéed Collard Greens »

Broccoli Rabe, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Zest Pizza
Broccoli Rabe, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Zest Pizza

Fresh spring greens, soft goat cheese, and lemon zest makes a bright and springy pizza perfect for the season.

Sautéed Chinese Broccoli
Sautéed Chinese Broccoli

At the Houston restaurant Reef, Chinese broccoli, brightened with ginger and chiles, is served alongside redfish on the half shell. See the recipe for Sautéed Chinese Broccoli

flat bread sandwich
Umbrian Flat Bread Sandwiches (Torta al Testo)

These simple broccoli rabe–sausage sandwiches are a favorite postmarket lunch of cook and author Lidia Bastianich. See the recipe for Umbrian Flat Bread Sandwiches (Torta al Testo) »

Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)
Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)

These Greek pastries unite a buttery crust with bright-tasting fennel and feta cheese. Get the recipe for Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)»

Wild Greens with Fried Eggs (Horta me Avga Tiganita)
Wild Greens with Fried Eggs (Horta me Avga Tiganita)

Wild Greens with Fried Eggs (Horta me Avga Tiganita)

Pulled Pork Italiano
Pulled Pork Italiano

Pulled Pork Italiano

Sindhi Mixed Greens (Sai Bhaaji)
Sindhi Mixed Greens (Sai Bhaaji)

Fenugreek greens, a Sindhi favorite, are the centerpiece of this hearty stew.

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