Pawpaw said “Good greens take all day, sha.”
I said “Watch me do it before church lets out.”
This is NanaTee’s Sunday Pot: Louisiana Greens & Smoked Sausage. No all-day babysitting. Just one pot, one hour, and Aunt Joyce’s Tabasco pepper sauce.
Taste like you stood over the stove since 6am. You didn’t. Don’t tell Pawpaw.
I’m Tina, Certified Aromatherapist since 2013. In Pearl River, I’m NanaTee. I’ve got 8 grandkids who think “vegetables” is a cuss word. They eat these greens.
This is the kit that made Pawpaw ask for seconds.
WHY CAJUN GREENS AIN’T LIKE OTHER GREENS
1. **Smoked meat first** - Ham hock, turkey neck, or sausage. That’s the flavor, sha.
2. **Potlikker** - The juice at the bottom. Aunt Joyce puts pepper sauce in hers. That’s medicine.
3. **No sugar** - If you see sugar in greens, run. That ain’t Cajun.
NANATEE’S SUNDAY POT KIT
1. LODGE 6-QUART ENAMELED CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Heavy bottom = no scorch. Enamel = no seasoning, no rust. Red color hides roux stains. Pawpaw can’t burn it.
NanaTee’s Rule: Brown the sausage first. Fond = flavor. Don’t you dare wash it out.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
2. GOOD GRIPS WOODEN CORNER SPOON
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Square edge scrapes every corner of the Dutch oven. No stuck bits. Arthritis-friendly handle for stirring 3 pounds of collards.
NanaTee’s Rule: Wood don’t scratch enamel. Metal spoons are for Pawpaw’s gumbo mistakes.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
3. ZATARAIN’S CAJUN SMOKED SAUSAGE
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Already smoked, already spicy. Slices even. No casing fights. Pawpaw eats it cold from the fridge.
NanaTee’s Rule: 1 link per 2 people. Unless it’s Pawpaw. Then 1 link per Pawpaw.
4. AUNT JOYCE’S TABASCO PEPPER SAUCE
Why it’s NanaTee approved: This ain’t Tabasco. It’s peppers + vinegar in a bottle. Aunt Joyce made'em since 1967. Shakes on potlikker like holy water. Clears sinuses + secrets.
NanaTee’s Rule: First bowl = no sauce. Taste the greens. Second bowl = drown it. That’s when the truth comes out.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
5. LOUISIANA HOT SAUCE
Why it’s NanaTee approved: For the grandkids who “don’t like spicy.” This is gateway hot sauce. Aunt Joyce’s is for grown folks.
NanaTee’s Rule: Bottle lives on the table. Not in the fridge. Cajun law.
Shop it: [Link HERE]
NANATEE’S 90-MINUTE SUNDAY GREENS & SAUSAGE
Feeds: 6-8 | Prep: 15 min | Cook: 75 min
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs collard greens, washed, stems removed, chopped
- 1 lb Zatarain’s Cajun Smoked Sausage, sliced 1/2 inch
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth - Better Than Bouillon works
- 1 Tbsp Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Aunt Joyce’s Tabasco Pepper Sauce, for serving
- Cornbread, for sopping potlikker
Instructions:
1. **Brown the meat:** Heat Lodge Dutch oven medium-high. Add sausage. Brown 5 min until fat renders. Don’t drain. That’s flavor. Remove sausage, leave drippings.
2. **Sweat the trinity:** Add onion to pot. Scrape bottom with wooden spoon. Cook 4 min. Add garlic. 1 min more. Pawpaw will come in here asking “what’s for dinner?”
3. **Wilt the greens:** Add collards by handfuls. Stir until wilted. They’ll look like too much. They’re not.
4. **Simmer:** Add broth, Tony’s, pepper, sausage back in. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer. Cover. 60 min. Go to church. Or watch Pawpaw nap.
5. **Taste:** Add salt if needed. Tony’s is salty. Greens should be tender, not mush. Potlikker should be dark gold.
6. **Serve:** Big bowl. Cornbread on side. Bottle of Aunt Joyce’s peppers on table. First shake is free. Second shake you gotta tell a secret.
WHY TRUST MY GREENS MATH?
I’ve tested all-day vs 90-min, ham hock vs sausage, fresh vs bagged collards.
These got “Nana, this the best” from 8 grandkids who hate vegetables. Pawpaw took some to his deer camp. That’s my Yelp review.
See the full pot + tools:
NanaTee’s “Sunday Pot Kit” → Link HERE
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That buys more sausage. And Tums for Pawpaw after Aunt Joyce’s sauce.
NANATEE’S GREENS RULES
1. **Wash 3 times** - Grit in greens = Pawpaw spitting. Fill sink, swish, drain. Repeat. No shortcuts.
2. **Cut out the stem** - Tough as boot leather. Fold leaf, slice stem out. Feed stems to chickens.
3. **Don’t skip the brown** - Sausage fond = flavor. If you skip this, just eat salad.
4. **Potlikker is medicine** - Drink it. Dip cornbread. Cure hangovers. Paran lived to 94 on potlikker.
5. **Day 2 better** - Fridge overnight = flavors marry. Pawpaw eats cold from the pot.
FREEBIE: AUNT JOYCE’S PEPPER SAUCE
Every Cajun table has a bottle. This is hers. 6 weeks on the windowsill = liquid gold.
Want it? Comment “TEAM PEPPER SAUCE” below with your best greens memory.
Best story wins the recipe + my “3 ways to use potlikker” bonus.
Too impatient? Stock the pantry version:
NanaTee’s “Cajun Pantry Starter” → Link HERE
YOUR TURN
Team Collards, Team Mustard, or Team Turnip?
Team Ham Hock or Team Sausage?
Drop “TEAM POTLIKKER” if you drink the juice. You’re my people.
With love, potlikker on my apron, and Aunt Joyce’s bottle on my table,
NanaTee
P.S. Make double. Freeze flat in gallon bags. Hurricane season = greens in 10 min. You’re welcome.
P.P.S. Pin this kit. Every Cajun needs a red Dutch oven and pepper sauce. It’s law.
Important Note:
Hot peppers burn. Wash hands after touching. For educational use only. Don’t let Pawpaw challenge anyone to a “shake contest.”
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