Sweet Potato (or Kale or Collards or Mustards, etc.) Greens Gratin

Ingredients:

4-6 strips bacon, cooked to crisp and chopped, optional
1 cup bread crumbs (I use old sourdough scraps ground in herb grinder. You probably could use ANY roasted nuts in it’s place.)
1/4 cup lard (or butter or olive oil or a combo)
Herbs of choice (fresh or dried. Things like thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano)
1 cup parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 bunches (medium size) greens if using fresh, about ¾ gallon size bag if using frozen (I use frozen)
1 onion, ½ moon sliced thin
3-5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons white flour OR starch of choice
2 cups milk (or 1 cup milk 1 cup sour cream)
French fried onions, optional

If you’re using fresh greens; Cook in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender and bright green, about 4 minutes. Drain, transfer to a bowl of ice water, and let cool. Drain and squeeze dry with paper towels. Coarsely chop greens and place in a large bowl.
***If you’re using frozen greens (make sure they are thawed); Squeeze out REALLY well until almost no liquid remains and place in large bowl.
Saute onions with about 3 tablespoons of lard (or other fat) in skillet over medium heat until golden. Add garlic and saute for 45 seconds to 1 minute more. Transfer to bowl with greens.
Place 3 tablespoons butter in sauce pan and add flour/starch. Whisk combo constantly until smooth and light brown (about 4 minutes).
Slowly pour in milk (or milk/sour cream mixture). Bring to a boil, whisking frequently, then lower heat to simmering continuing to whisk until thickened (5-8 minutes).
Whisk in ¾ cup parmesan cheese. Pour into collard/onion/garlic mixture. Season mixture with salt, pepper, and other herbs of choice. Stir in (optional) bacon.
In a separate bowl combine 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons of fat of choice, and (optional French fried onions).
Pour greens/onions/sauce mixture into seasoned/greased baking dish OR cast iron skillet, spread out to fill. Spread/sprinkle bread crumb/parmesan mixture on top of greens.
Place in oven at 325 degrees for 15-22 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.