Making Chard Delicious
June 25, 2008
Posted by CindyC in : Opinions & Thoughts , trackback
First off, I actually like swiss chard. Sauteed with some butter and a little salt and I can eat a plate full. However, many don’t feel the same way.
In fact, one of my friends wanted to just dump this hardy green (that’s growing way past its season) into the composter! So for those of you who are trying to find a better way to cook this nutritious green, I stumbled upon a great recipe that even my chard-evasive family enjoyed.
The recipe was cut out of the SF Examiner but I couldn’t find it online so I hope this won’t offend the source.
Swiss Chard with Caramelized Onions and Pine Nuts
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2 tbsp pine nuts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large sweet onion, coarsely chopped
1 bunch Swiss Chard (with leaves and stalks separated)
2 tbsp golden raisins
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper to taste
In a large skillet, toast the pine nuts until golden brown (for about 3 minutes). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
In the same pan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, unitl golden brown and soft (about 9-12 minutes).
Meanwhile, cut chard stalks into sticks 1/4 inch wide and 2 inches long. Tear leaves into 2 inch pieces.
Add stalks and raisins to caramelized onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the stalk are tender (about 10-12 minutes).
Add chard leaves and vinegar. Continue cooking until the leaves are very wilted and tender. Season with salft and pepper and sprinkle with pine nuts after transferring to serving plate.
The recipe takes about 45 minutes (though active prep time is 15 minutes) but it takes the toughness out of the stalk and the pine nuts give the dish that extra crunch. Yum.
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Comments»
That sounds good! Thanks for sharing. Swiss chard seems to grow like crazy around here. After months if it, I was begging mine to bolt or die. Finally it did the former but it grew so well I’ll definitely plant it next year. At least now I’ll have a decent recipe.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried chard, actually. That recipe does sound pretty tasty although I think I’d have a hard time convincing my family to partake!
On another note, you post the most delicious “food p0rn” photos! lol
I love it too. Try butter, salt, and a good squeeze of lemon…yummy! My family thinks I’m a bit nuts - but I’ll eat an entire plate-load of it too.
What’s more, this is such an easy and quick vege to grow in the organic garden!
Oh, and it’s full of iron - which is better absorbed by the body with the vitamin C from the lemon juice!
Thanks for the recipe and I’m glad I’m not the only one whose nuts for chard!
I love chard and especially the rainbow chard. The recipe looks really tasty! Now I just have to be patient and wait for winter to get local greens again. (Guess I better bookmark the recipe because I’ll forget where I saw it by then. *grin*)