RECIPE: COLLARD GREENS WITH FREEKEH

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

• About 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided

• 1 cup cracked freekeh* or medium bulgur wheat

• 4 garlic cloves, smashed

• 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

• 3/4 pound collard greens (1 or 2 bunches)

• 2 to 3 tbsp. sherry vinegar

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 1 large firm-ripe Bosc pear, very thinly sliced lengthwise

• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

Directions:

Step 1 Preheat oven to 350°. Roast almonds in a shallow pan until golden, stirring once, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2 Meanwhile, bring 2 1/2 cups water and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the freekeh, garlic, and chile flakes. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until freekeh is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Strain freekeh, then spread on a rimmed baking sheet to cool (put it in the fridge if you’re in a hurry). Discard large pieces of garlic.

Step 3 While freekeh cooks, cut ribs and stems from collards; save them for another use. Rinse leaves and spin dry. Stack a few at a time, roll lengthwise into a long cigar, and very thinly slice crosswise. In a large bowl, toss collards well with 3/4 tsp. salt.

Step 4 Add 2 tbsp. vinegar, the oil, and pepper to collards and toss to blend. Add cooled freekeh and toss to combine; then add almonds, pear, and green onions and toss gently. Season to taste with more vinegar and salt if you like.