Ham Hocks, Navy Beans and Collard Greens

I tried this recipe for collards today and don't care for it. Charlie couldn't tell a difference and it is easy and quick but it leaves the bitterness in the greens more than I like. I prefer to simmer them in seasoned water for a couple of hours instead.  I used navy beans today. Charlie does not care for black-eyed peas and we only have them on New Years Day any way.  Beans were cooked OK but they were probably too old to cook as tender as they should have after two hours. I didn't use the scallions for garnish. 

Black-Eyed Peas With Ham Hock and Collards 

• DAVID TANIS YIELD About 12 cups cooked beans, 10 to 12 servings TIME2 hours

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds black-eyed peas, soaked overnight if possible

• 2 pounds smoked ham hock, meaty ham bone or slab bacon

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 large onion, peeled and stuck with 2 cloves

• 1 bay leaf

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon allspice

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

• 2 pounds collard greens, cut in 1-inch ribbons (about 8 cups)

• 1 bunch scallions, cleaned and chopped, for garnish

•

PREPARATION

1 Drain peas and put them in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add ham hock or bone (if using slab bacon, cut it into 2-inch chunks), cover with 10 cups water and turn heat to high. Add salt, onion stuck with cloves, bay leaf, black pepper and allspice.

2 Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Skim off and discard any foam that rises to the surface. Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until peas are tender. Throughout cooking, add water as necessary, always keeping liquid level 1 inch above surface, stirring with wooden spoon occasionally. Turn off heat. Check broth for salt and adjust seasoning. Mixture should be fairly brothy. With a pair of tongs, remove ham hock, ham bone or bacon. Chop meat and skin in rough pieces and set aside.

3 Put a large wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until wavy. Add garlic and red pepper and let sizzle without browning. Add collard greens and stir to coat. Season with salt and add 1 cup water, stirring to help wilt greens. Add chopped ham and reduce heat to medium, then cover with lid slightly ajar and cook until greens are soft, about 20 minutes. Check seasoning.

4 To serve, put greens and meat in low soup bowls, then ladle over hot black-eyed peas. Sprinkle with scallions.