Southern Style Collard Greens

INGREDIENTS

2 16 ounce packages

chopped fresh collard greens (or 2 large bunches collard greens, cleaned, rinsed and chopped)

2 lb

smoked meat (ham hocks, smoked turkey legs, wings, or smoked neck bones)

Water to cover plus an inch

2 tsp

kosher salt

1/2 tsp

Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama)

1 cup

chopped onion

3 cloves

garlic, minced

Couple dashes hot sauce

2 cups

chicken broth

1 tbsp

sugar

1 tbsp

bacon drippings or oil

2 tbsp

apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp

soy sauce

1 tbsp

butter

1/2 cup

chopped leftover ham , optional

Additional chicken broth , if needed

1 tsp

crushed red pepper flakes

Vinegar pepper sauce , for the table

Hoecakes or Cornmeal Dumplings (recipe below)