Collard Greens, Corn and Tortilla Strata

Collard Greens, Corn and Tortilla Strata

Several years ago, collard greens and many other vegetables were not available in grocery stores.  With the ‘world trade’, seasonal foods are available all year. Dandelion greens or spinach were only greens I was familiar with.  Maybe turnip or beet greens were available on our farm table, but what kid was going to eat them if they could get out of it.  My children were subjected to lettuces and spinach in salads.

So now I have learned to eat, cook and share Collard Greens, Corn and Tortilla Strata.

Collard Greens, Corn and Tortilla Strata

Collard Greens, Corn and Tortilla Strata

Nutritional Benefits

As you might have gathered, collard greens are good for you.  They are a dark green vegetable with the ability to lower cholesterol and  cancer protection. Collard greens are high in Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, fiber, and manganese to name a few.  There is your multiple vitamin! Now corn adds B vitamins, folate and thiamin when eaten as a special summertime food, corn-on-the-cob, a midwest favorite side dish.  Corn is considered a staple food, the basis for polenta, tortillas, burritos, corn meal, flour, starch and popcorn!¹

I adapted this recipe by adding roasted red bell peppers instead of mushrooms.  I like the sweeter taste plus the red color. Red bell peppers provide Vitamin C, A, B6 and folate.  Add garlic to the strata, it is credited to  having healing potential of lowering cholesterol and cancer protection.¹  Use 1% milk to lower fat and calories, though I did add cheddar cheese on top.

Collard Greens, Corn and Tortilla Strata

A layered casserole of vegetables and flour tortillas. A vegetarian side dish to be enjoyed with or without a meat entrée. It’s an American lasagna!

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
  2. Grease a 2 1/2 quart or 9 x 13 casserole dish.
  3. In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil, add the minced garlic, cook until soft.
  4. Add the blanched fresh or frozen collard greens, cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  5. Combine the milk, salt, pepper sauce into the flour, stir until smooth.
  6. Add the milk mixture to the collard greens, stir until the sauce is creamy and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the corn and roasted red bell peppers, heat about 3 minutes
  8. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
  9. Arrange a layer of tortillas on the bottom of the casserole, cover with half of collard/corn mixture.
  10. Add another layer of tortillas, cover with remainder of mixed vegetables.
  11. Sprinkle top of casserole with remainder of the shredded cheese.
  12. Bake for 25 minutes or casserole is hot and bubbling.

Recipe adapted from Fight Back With Food: Use Nutrition To Heal What Ails You, Readers Digest Association, Inc. cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk.Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office.”nettabelleschoice.com and cookbookinabox.com
All rights reserved.

 

 

cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring you great recipes for your cooking experience.

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk.Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office.” nettabelleschoice.com and cookbookinabox.com.  All rights reserved.