Bacon-and-Bourbon Collards

Prep /Total time : 1 Hour 50 minutes ... Makes  10 servings

We can't get enough of the super popular bacon-and-bourbon combo! Here, a recipe for Southern collard greens gets buzzed with the addition of two types of booze: beer and bourbon. Don't worry, though; the alcohol evaporates during the cooking process, leaving behind nothing but good flavor.

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

　
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. Sauté onion in hot drippings 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in bacon, ale, and next 3 ingredients; cook 3 minutes or until mixture is reduced by one-fourth.
2.       Add collards, in batches, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 1 hour or to desired degree of doneness. Stir in vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Heart Healthy