Baked Potatoes Get A Calcium Boost When You Top Them With This Canned Vegetable

Baked potatoes are the ultimate comfort food that we are accustomed to loading with all manner of dairy products. And while you might think that sour cream, butter, and cheese are a calcium rich trifecta, adding canned collard greens will take a baked potato's calcium content to the next level.

Calcium isn't just an essential vitamin for bone health, but it also supports heart, nerve, and muscle health. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average adult needs 1000 milligrams of calcium per day. A cup of canned, cooked collard greens contains approximately 266 milligrams of calcium. When combined with typical baked potato toppings of cheddar cheese and sour cream, you're looking at over half the supply of your daily calcium requirements. 

Collard greens are grassy, moderately bitter, and melt in your mouth tender, especially out of a can. They're usually seasoned with salt and onion powder, and sometimes vinegar and pepper for a spicy, tangy balance. A potato's earthiness pairs beautifully with these easy greens for a dish that's both nutritious and delicious. Simply heat then drain and press the collard greens to ensure you get as much moisture as possible out of them before pouring them over your baked potato. The greens will work well as an addition to a classic loaded baked potato. Of course, they're also a vegan and dairy-free topping that'll account for a quarter of your daily calcium intake when enjoyed over a plain baked potato.

While incorporating collard greens into baked potatoes is as easy as mixing the heated contents of a can into the fluffy pulp fresh out of the oven, there are ways to make them even more of a tasty mix-in. Start by sauteing aromatics like garlic and onions as a flavorful base for canned collard greens. A quick saute will also help evaporate excess water and concentrate the greens' vegetal flavors. Season the veggies with paprika, garlic salt, and freshly ground pepper for a kick. You can also cream collard greens by sauteeing them with onions and garlic, adding a splash of cream or coconut milk, and simmering until thick. Creamed collard greens are an especially indulgent and comforting baked potato topping. Since Southern collard greens often contain ham hock, you know the canned variety will pair well with salty, savory, smoky bacon or barbecue pulled pork. Besides, the calcium-packed canned greens, some hearty protein, and a baked potato round out all your macro-nutrient needs for a complete meal.

A popular Irish potato recipe is colcannon, a blend of mashed potatoes and boiled cabbage or other hearty green like kale. And you can reimagine this dish with twice baked collard green potatoes. Simply bake the whole russet potato, scoop out the interior, and mash with butter, sour cream, and a can of collard greens. Then, add the mash back to the potato skins, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.