Italian-Style Swiss Chard

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients

• 3 lb swiss chard
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp minced or pressed garlic
• 6 chopped anchovies (WITH bones for extra calcium)
• 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. salt & pepper

Instructions

Trim stem ends of chard. Thinly slice stems crosswise up to base of leaves; set slices aside. Reserve a few whole leaves to line serving dish; coarsely chop remaining leaves. In a 6 to 8 quart pan over medium-high heat, stir oil, garlic and anchovies until garlic is slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add chard stems; stir until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in chopped leaves (a little at a time if pan if full), cover, and cook until wilted, about 4 minutes. Mix in vinegar; season to taste with salt & pepper.
Garnish a serving dish with reserved chard leaves; spoon greens atop these leaves and serve.

Fettuccine with Swiss Chard, Walnuts and Lemon

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces rice fettuccine
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, sliced
• kosher salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste
• pinch of fresh chopped rosemary
• 3 cups Swiss chard, washed
• 4 ounces clear vegetable or chicken stock
• 4 tablespoons halved walnuts
• 1 tablespoon white wine
• juice of half a lemon
• OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Over high heat, place the oil and garlic in a large sauté pan and gently cook until the garlic turns golden brown. Add  roughly 3 pinches of salt, 2 pinches of black pepper, and 2 pinches of crushed red pepper to the oil, or flavor to your liking. Add the rosemary and Swiss chard. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until it is tender but still has a bit of bite to it (al dente).
While the pasta is cooking, add the stock to the Swiss chard and steam-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until reduced in size. Add the walnuts and cook for 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and olive oil. Taste for seasoning.
Strain the pasta from the water and add it to the Swiss chard. Toss it all together until most of the liquid is absorbed by the pasta. Add the cheese (if using).
The pasta should be slightly creamy, and no extra sauce should be apparent. Divide into two bowls and serve.

Swiss Chard Dahl

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Swiss chard
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 large Onion, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 fresh red chili
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1/2 cup stock
• 1 can peeled tomatoes
• salt to taste
• 1 small can tomato puree (to thicken)

Instructions

Chop the old stems tips off the swiss chard and compost. Slice the stems into 1/4 inch pieces.  Steam them in a large frying pan with a little water with add the chopped chili, garlic and the onion. When the onion is tender add the black pepper, cumin, turmeric, and coriander.  Cover and simmer for ten minutes. Meanwhile, coarsely chop the remaining chard leaves and add to the pot with the stock. Add the red lentils and simmer for a couple of minutes more, then add the canned tomatoes; continue to simmer for about 10 minutes. The lentils should be soft but still intact. Add about half a can tomato puree and salt to taste. Simmer for another couple of minutes till the dahl has thickened.
Serve with brown rice.