Grandmas Greens Catalan Style With Toasted Pine Nuts And Raisins Recipes

GRANDMA'S GREENS CATALAN-STYLE WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Heat a small, dry skillet over medium heat and add pine nuts. Cook, shaking pan constantly, until nuts are fragrant and lightly browned - about five minutes. Set aside. Wash Swiss chard in several changes of cold water and drain. Trim and discard ends of chard leaves and slice chard into one-inch ribbons.
• Pour a cup of water into a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, add chard leaves and cover. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Lift lid and use tongs to turn and wilt chard. Replace lid and continue to boil for four minutes, turning chard again with tongs after two minutes.
• Drain chard in a colander placed in sink, rinsing with cold tap water to stop it from cooking further. Use a rubber spatula to press out as much moisture as possible and reserve. In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil on medium-low. Add garlic and raisins and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is soft but not brown. Add chard, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring until heated through. Serve immediately.

SPINACH WITH RAISINS AND PINE NUTS (ESPINACS A LA CATALANA)

Steps:

• Place the raisins in a small bowl, add very hot water to cover, and soak until plump, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels, then set aside.
• Rinse, but do not drain the spinach. Place the spinach in a large saucepan over medium heat and cover the pan. Cook the spinach in the water that clings to its leaves until just wilted, 4-5 minutes, stirring a few times.
• Transfer the spinach to a colander and squeeze out the excess moisture by pressing on the spinach with the back of a spoon. Chop the spinach coarsely. (The spinach can be prepared a few hours ahead up to this point).
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over low heat. Add the garlic, pine nuts, and soaked raisins and cook until the nuts and garlic are light golden, 3-5 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium, add the chopped spinach and cook for about 1 minute, stirring to combine evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, transfer to a serving bowl and serve.