Swiss Chard Recipes

Standard Preparation

Swiss chard can be treated just like any other green. Larger leaves have stronger flavor that often lose sharpness when cooked. Chard can be eaten with or without the stems and will brighten up a salad.

Swiss Chard with Garlic

3 pounds Swiss chard (about 2 large bunches)
1 large garlic clove
1 tablespoon olive oil

Tear Swiss chard leaves from thick white stalks and coarsely chop leaves, reserving stalks. In a large saucepan or kettle of boiling salted water simmer stalks until tender, 5 to 10 minutes, and drain in a colander. Chard may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead, stalks cooled completely and leaves and stalks chilled separately in sealable plastic bags.

Mince garlic. In a large skillet heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook garlic, stirring, 30 seconds. Add leaves in 2 batches, tossing to coat with oil and stirring after each addition, and cook until leaves are wilted. Add stalks and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Season chard with salt and pepper. Makes 6 servings. Gourmet March 1998

Penne with Swiss Chard

6 ounces penne or other tubular pasta
1 1/2 pounds Swiss chard
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 small onion
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Fill a 4-quart kettle three-fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for pasta. Chop Swiss chard into 1/4-inch-wide pieces and finely chop separately red pepper flakes and onion. In a 12-inch heavy skillet cook onion in butter over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add Swiss chard and cook, tirring, 15 minutes, or until tender.

While Swiss chard mixture is cooking, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente and drain in a colander. Add pasta to Swiss chard mixture with red pepper flakes, cream, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and stir in Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste. Serves 2. Gourmet November 1997

Wilted Greens

3 tablespoons butter
1 large bunch Swiss chard, stems cut from leaves and discarded, leaves torn
1 large bunch mustard greens, stems trimmed, leaves torn
1 10-ounce bag spinach leaves
1/3 cup chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add all greens and stock. Cover and cook until greens wilt, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Uncover; cook until juices thicken slightly, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 servings. Bon Appétit September 2000