how to use swiss chard in cooking

Swiss chard! A delicious and nutritious leafy green that’s often overlooked in favor of more popular greens like kale and spinach. But trust me, Swiss chard is a treasure trove of flavor and nutrition, and it’s incredibly versatile in cooking. Here are some ways to use Swiss chard in your cooking:

Preparation

Before we dive into recipes, let’s talk about how to prepare Swiss chard. You can use both the leaves and the stems, but they need to be cooked separately. Here’s how:

• Leaves: Simply chop or tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and use them in salads, sautés, or as a cooking green.
• Stems: Cut the stems into small pieces and cook them separately from the leaves. You can sauté or braise them to make them tender.

Recipe Ideas

1. Sautéed Swiss Chard with Garlic and Lemon: Sauté chopped Swiss chard leaves with minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Serve as a side dish or add to pasta, rice, or quinoa bowls.
2. Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup: Use Swiss chard leaves and stems in a hearty soup with cannellini beans, onions, garlic, and vegetable broth.
3. Roasted Swiss Chard with Olive Oil and Salt: Toss chopped Swiss chard leaves with olive oil, salt, and your choice of aromatics (e.g., garlic, onions, or lemon). Roast in the oven until tender and caramelized.
4. Swiss Chard and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Use Swiss chard leaves to make a delicious stuffing for chicken breasts, along with crumbled feta cheese, chopped onions, and breadcrumbs.
5. Swiss Chard and Mushroom Risotto: Add chopped Swiss chard leaves to a creamy risotto with Arborio rice, mushrooms, white wine, and vegetable broth.
6. Grilled Swiss Chard with Balsamic Glaze: Brush Swiss chard leaves with olive oil and grill them until tender. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve as a side dish or add to sandwiches or salads.
7. Swiss Chard and Lentil Curry: Use Swiss chard leaves and stems in a flavorful curry with red or green lentils, onions, garlic, ginger, and your choice of spices.
8. Swiss Chard and Cheese Quesadilla: Add chopped Swiss chard leaves to a quesadilla filling with cheese, beans, and salsa. Cook in a skillet until crispy and melted.

Tips and Variations

• Use Swiss chard in place of spinach or kale in many recipes.
• Add Swiss chard to smoothies or juices for a nutritional boost.
• Use Swiss chard stems in place of celery in soups or stews.
• Sauté Swiss chard with other leafy greens, like kale or collard greens, for a delicious and nutritious side dish.
• Add Swiss chard to pasta sauces, like pesto or tomato sauce, for added nutrition and flavor.

I hope these ideas inspire you to get creative with Swiss chard in your cooking!