Garden bed with mixed green and purple leafy vegetables.

Asian-Inspired Greens

Exploring the versatile use of hardy greens, we dive into a recipe that introduces an Asian flair to your everyday cooking. This technique can be applied to a variety of greens, such as kohlrabi leaves, beet greens, chard, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, collards, and even our star ingredient – the red mustard.

If you’re intrigued by the unique flavor of Red Mustard, you may also like exploring our collection of turnip recipes for more vegetable-inspired dishes.

Ingredients and Directions

Ingredients:

  • A large pot of adequately salted water
  • 1 bunch of fresh greens, including red mustard
  • 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • Red pepper flakes to your liking

Directions:

  1. Boil: Fill a large pot with water and add a generous amount of salt. Bring the water to a boil. Ensure there is enough room for your greens to swirl around without overcrowding.
  2. Clean: Rinse the greens thoroughly. If dust or dirt is present, let them soak in cold water before rinsing. Remove any undesirable or blemished leaves.
  3. Prep: Delicately extract the stems and ribs from the greens using a knife. You can also chop and sauté them separately if you desire.
  4. Cook: Gradually introduce the greens into your boiling water. As they start to shrink, you can add more. Let them cook until they retain their bright green color, which may vary from a few minutes to 20 minutes depending on the type, age, and thickness of the greens.
  5. Drain: After cooking, drain the greens and get rid of any additional water. You can further chop the greens for more manageable bite-sized pieces.
  6. Season: Blend the cooked greens with the sesame oil and soy sauce, then sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
  7. Serve: These Asian-inspired greens can be served hot or cold. They are a wonderful addition to salads, sandwiches, and more, making them perfect for meal prepping.

Tips on Prepping Greens and Using Asian Spices

Large, dark purple leaves of a plant in a pot.
  • Cleaning Greens: Cleaning and preparing greens can be time-consuming, especially if they are very dirty or less fresh. So, allowing extra time for this process is recommendable.
  • Asian Spices: The ingredients that truly elevate this recipe are the Asian spices. A spice mix called ‘shichimi’, consisting of red pepper, roasted orange peel, yellow and black sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, seaweed, and ginger, adds a world of flavor. However, if it’s hard to find, simply using red pepper for heat should suffice.

Italian Style Red Mustard

Introduce a European twist to your red mustard with Italian style. 

  • Simply sauté minced garlic in olive oil, add your chopped red mustard and a splash of white wine. 
  • Cover and steam until tender. 
  • Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with a generous handful of parmesan cheese before serving.

Red Mustard Smoothie Boost

For a healthful start to your morning, add a few leaves of red mustard to your daily smoothie. Its peppery flavor adds an interesting twist to a banana and berry smoothie.

Conclusion

Red mustard, with its versatility and nutritional value, can enhance any meal, whether you’re creating Asian-inspired greens, Italian-style dishes, or adding it to a healthy smoothie. Its culinary possibilities are vast, matched only by its health benefits, making it a kitchen essential.