Kickin' Vegetarian Collard Greens - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
2 bay leaves
2 (14 ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring
2 pounds collard greens, chopped
1 1/2 cups cooked white beans (optional)

Preparation

Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat until butter melts and starts to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in thyme and bay leaves.
Pour chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, brown sugar, molasses, and liquid smoke into the pot; bring to a simmer. Stir in collard greens gently. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until tender, about 30 minutes.