Carlena Davis
Nov 18, 20222 min
Updated: Sep 19, 2023
Mustard Greens will win over collard greens any day in my book! I love them both but it's something about the tenderness of mustard greens and the flavor that gets me every time. If you aren't from Eastern NC, then you may not have seen cornmeal dumplings added to a pot of mustard greens. This is an old fashioned NC way of making mustard greens. My mom use to make them this way when I was growing up! You can totally leave out the dumplings and make fried cornbread on the side. I like them both ways! When I am missing my mama and her cooking, I like to make them with the dumplings in them. Below is the recipe! If you try it, make sure to tag me on social media!
Ingredients Needed to Make Mustard Greens with Cornmeal Dumplings
1-2 ham hocks or any smoked meat
8 cups of water, enough to cover the meat
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste
1 whole onion
4 cloves of garlic
4-5 bunches of mustard greens
Cornmeal Dumplings
1 cup of cornmeal
1⁄2cup of flour
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1/2 tablespoon of salt
2⁄3 cup of water
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Directions to Make Mustard Greens with Cornmeal Dumplings
In a large stock pot, add smoked meat or ham hocks and cover with water. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook on medium high heat until the meat is tender.
Once the meat is tender, add your cleaned greens to your pot. Add one whole onion and 4 cloves of garlic. Let them cook for 1 and 1/2 hours til tender.
To make the dumplings, in a small bowl, add corn meal, flour, baking powder, salt and whisk until combined. Add water and mix well. Add one tablespoon of olive oil.
Pinch off a small amount of cornmeal mixture and form into small discs.
Add cornmeal dumplings directly on top of the mustard greens. Gently push the dumplings down into the pot liquor to allow the dumplings to cook.
Cover for 20-25 mins or until the dumplings puff up.
Remove from the heat and serve immediately.