Cooking red Swiss chard is an amazing experience. Its delicate leaves and sweet stalks make it both nutritious and delicious. In this article, we’ll show you the best ways to cook red Swiss chard and make sure that you have a fun time while doing it.
Preparing the Chard
The first step is always the most important, and when it comes to red Swiss chard, it shouldn’t be too hard. Start by thoroughly washing your chard and discarding the wilted leaves. Then, use a sharp knife to separate the stalks from the leaves, making sure to keep them in separate piles so you don’t have to do double work later.
Cooking the Stalks
The stalks are the densest part of the red Swiss chard and can take quite a bit of boiling and steaming to turn them soft and tender. Start by boiling the stalks in salted water for about 15 minutes, or until they’re nice and soft. For an added flavor, you can add some diced garlic, a bay leaf, a few sprigs of thyme, or some diced onion. Once boiled, you can steam the stalks for another 15 minutes.
Cooking the Leaves
The leaves are the most delicate and flavorful parts of the red Swiss chard, so you need to take care of them. The best way to cook them is in a skillet with some good quality olive oil, garlic, and salt. This will help bring out the flavor of the chard and let it shine. Cook for about five minutes, stirring often, or until the chard is tender and cooked through. Of course, you can always play with different ingredients or cooking methods to find your own unique way of preparing this amazing vegetable.
Now that you know how to cook red Swiss chard, you can confidently bring a nutritious and delicious vegetable to the dinner table. Don’t be afraid to get creative and mix-up the ingredients or cooking methods to keep things fun and fresh. If you ever feel like you need help, just remember, it’s always chard to ask someone!