Easy Potlikker - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 bunch collard greens
3 tablespoons butter
2 slices smoked bacon, chopped
1/2 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups water
2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 dash salt (optional)

Preparation

Remove the thick ribs from the collard greens. Wash the greens thoroughly and chop coarsely.
Melt 2 T butter in a pot over medium heat and add the bacon and onion. Saute until bacon is almost done and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and saute for an additional 2 minutes.
Add water and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil. Cover, turn heat to medium and simmer 30 minutes.
Stir in the broth, sugar and vinegar into the pot and bring again to a boil. Stir in the greens, allowing them to wilt a bit to make more room if necessary. Simmer over medium-low heat, partially covered, about 50 - 60 minutes, or until tender. Add additional stock or water if too much liquid boils away.
Check for seasoning and add pepper and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add salt only if necessary (since the bacon and broth are salty). Ladle greens with broth into bowls and serve with hot sauce and cornbread.