Bacon & Bourbon Collards (Southern Living)

By TMaloy

Ingredients

• 4 thick bacon slices
• 3 T. butter
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 1 (12 oz.) bottle ale beer
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 t. dried crushed red pepper
• 6 lbs. fresh collard greens, trimmed and chopped
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 t. salt
• 1/2 t. pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Cut bacon crosswise into 1/4 inch strips. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; add bacon, and cook, stirring often, 8 minutes or until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet. Saute onion in hot drippings until tender. Stir in bacon, ale, and next 3 ingredients; cook 3 minutes or until mixture is reduced by 1/4th. Add collards in batches, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted. Reduce heat to medium low; cover and cook 1 hour or until desired doneness. Stir in salt and pepper.