RECIPE: Ruby Chard Decorated with Itself

Ruby Chard Decorated with Itself

From The Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without by Mollie Katzen

Serves 4 to 6
• 1 pound ruby chard, washed in several changes of water and thoroughly dried
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup minced red onion
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup lightly toasted pine nuts (optional)

Use a very sharp knife to remove the stems from the chard leaves. Coarsely chop the leaves and set them aside. Trim and discard the very tips of the stems (as well as any dinged up edges), and mince the rest.

Place a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. After about a minute, add about 2 teaspoons of the olive oil, and swirl to coat the pan. Toss in the chard stems and the onion, turn the heat up to medium-high, and stir-fry for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with salt, if desired, then transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl, and set aside.

Without cleaning it, return the pan to the stove over medium heat. Pour in the vinegar, and bring to a boil. (Open your windows!) Turn the heat to very low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour this slightly reduced vinegar over the stem–onion mixture in the bowl.

Return the still-uncleaned pan to the stove over medium heat, wait another minute, then add the remaining olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Turn up the heat to medium-high, and toss in the chard leaves. Cook quickly, turning with tongs as you go, until the leaves are wilted. This will only take a couple of minutes. You can salt the leaves lightly while they cook, if you wish.

When the leaves are done to your liking, transfer them to a serving plate or bowl, and taste to adjust salt. Add black pepper to taste, then spoon the stem mixture over the top, being sure to include all the juices. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature, topped with pine nuts, if desired.