So, you wish to attempt Swiss chard? You are in the fitting place! Discover ways to lower and prepare dinner this vibrant leafy inexperienced, and discover our favourite Swiss chard recipes.
All of us go loopy over spinach and kale, however when was the final time you cooked Swiss chard? This vibrant leafy inexperienced is one in every of my favourite greens to work with. It’s endlessly versatile – my go-to Swiss chard recipes vary from smoky Mojo bowls to a lemony pasta – and its stems are simply as edible as its darkish inexperienced leaves. As a result of I believe we might all be cooking it extra usually, I wished to share a little bit Swiss chard 101 as we speak. For those who’ve by no means labored with chard earlier than, I hope the following pointers and recipes will encourage you to attempt it. And if you happen to’re already a Swiss chard professional, I hope a recipe right here will encourage you to arrange it in a brand new method. There’s no restrict to what Swiss chard can do!
However first, what’s Swiss chard?
Good query! Swiss chard is a leafy vegetable that’s intently associated to beets. In reality, if you happen to’ve cooked with beet greens earlier than, you’ll discover that chard has loads of similarities. The mature leaves are lush and comparatively coarse after they’re uncooked, however they wilt down superbly after they’re braised or sautéed. Their earthy taste pairs very well with garlic, nuts, dried fruits like currants and raisins, and acids like lemon juice and vinegar.
Chard stems are edible, too, so don’t toss them whenever you’re cooking the leaves! If I’m making sautéed Swiss chard, I merely add the stems to the pan a couple of minutes earlier than I add the leaves in order that they’ve an opportunity to melt. In addition they pickle actually properly, in order that they’re a good way so as to add crunch to salads, sandwiches, and bowls. The stems within the images listed below are pink, however that’s not the one method you’ll discover them on the farmers market or grocery retailer. Relying on the range, chard may need pale inexperienced, gold, pink, and even striped stems. All are scrumptious!
Find out how to Cook dinner Swiss Chard
Once I purchase a giant bunch of inexperienced, pink, or rainbow chard, I nearly at all times prepare dinner the leaves. For me, they’re a little bit spongy and difficult to make use of uncooked in salads, although child chard, if it’s accessible, is a superb salad base.
The best approach to prepare dinner chard is to sauté it. Right here’s my straightforward technique:
First, prep the chard. Slice the leaves off the powerful stems, and lower the stems into 1/4-inch slices. Stack the leaves on prime of each other and coarsely chop them.
Subsequent, prepare dinner the stems. Warmth a little bit olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the chard stems and prepare dinner for about 2 minutes, or till they begin to soften.
Then, add the leaves, some sliced garlic, salt, and pepper, and prepare dinner till the leaves wilt, about one other 2 minutes.
Lastly, season and serve. Squeeze the wilted chard with lemon juice and serve it as a aspect dish. Discover extra of my favourite Swiss chard recipes and serving solutions beneath!
Different Favourite Swiss Chard Recipes
Easy sautéed Swiss chard is a straightforward, wholesome, and scrumptious aspect dish, however there are many different methods to serve this inexperienced. These Swiss chard recipes and serving solutions are a few of my favorites:
How do you want to make use of Swiss chard? Let me know within the feedback!
Extra Vegetable Fundamentals
For those who love this easy Swiss chard recipe, attempt cooking one in every of these greens subsequent:
Sautéed Swiss Chard
Serves 4
- 2 bunches Swiss chard
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, extra to style
- Lemon wedge, for squeezing
- Freshly floor black pepper
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Slice the stems off the chard leaves and chop the stems into 1/4-inch slices. Coarsely chop the leaves.
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Warmth the oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the chard stems and prepare dinner for 1 to 2 minutes, or till they start to melt. Add the chard leaves, garlic, salt, and several other grinds of pepper, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, or till the leaves are wilted.
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Flip off the warmth, squeeze a little bit lemon juice over the chard, and toss. Season to style and serve.
