Eric makes greens that are divine. He braises them in vinegar, uses coriander seeds, mustard, fresh onion…they are heaven. I never enjoyed greens until he taught me to love them, and now I make every effort to enable him to make them as often as possible.
Tonight, we had kale. I ordered a large bag of Dole’s Fresh Kale, purported to be washed and ready to cook. Eric prepared them as usual, and we loved them a lot…until Eric suddenly said, “Hmmmm. Don’t think I’ll trust that ‘ready to cook’ business anymore.”
I had already finished mine, naturally. 
I don’t trust food safety at all anymore.
that was in your bag of kale?!
Um… Im thinking sue ?
Aaaah! I would have fallen apart if I saw that.
EVEN if it says pre-washed, I don’t believe it! UGH. I almost flipped out over a caterpillar larva on cooked cauliflower this summer – I would have passed out over seeing this!
You both are stronger than I am!
Oh, and recipe (w/out bug)!! Please and thank you.
EW!!! what is that!? is it a cockroach or just some other bug!? i would definitely send this photo to dole and complain. maybe even the news or something – because that’s just WRONG.
Eww Eww EWWWWWW!!! Nastiness!! I’d be complaining BIG time to the company!
The FDA allows a certain amount of bugs and foreign matter in the food. It’s gross, but when you’re dealing with produce especially, I doubt it’s avoidable 100% of the time.
is that a cricket?
I hate this post. It makes me want to curl up in a little ball and all the hairs on my neck are on end.
Once, I made a vegetarian pizza with pre-washed veg. The broccoli had little green worms for us to enjoy. Only noticed after I baked the pizzas naturally.
And white eggs on the underside of cauliflower.
Uncooked( not pre washed) I was such a wuss I tossed the entire head out.
I second for Eric’s recipe for greens. Sans bugs.
Oooh I love all greens (including kale) right now- yes please give us a recipe! And I always rewash the bags of prewashed greens I get from the store- inevitably I put them in the sink, fill sink with water, and once I drain them out there’s a nice layer of dirt/sand sitting at the bottom of my sink. Prewashed just can’t be trusted.
Ingredients
2 tblsp canola or other neutral oil
1 medium onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp fennel seed
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1/2 tsp coriander seed
1/4 tsp mustard seed
1/4 tsp onion seed
Salt & pepper, to taste
Greens, a bunch, one type (kale, mustard, etc.)
1/4 – 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
water
Heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat in a stock pot or other large saucepan.
Add the onion, garlic, seeds, and a pinch of salt. Sweat for five minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Don’t let the onions take color; manage the heat as necessary to prevent browning.
Add the greens, remaining salt, pepper, rice wine vinegar, and some water.
Cover and cook for 5-10 minutes, until the greens soften to desired texture. Stir occasionally to prevent the greens on the bottom from overcooking.
As an added benefit, the pot liquor is delicious.