Swiss Chard Cakes Recipes

QUINOA AND CHARD CAKES

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with ice water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the chard leaves. Blanch for two to three minutes until tender, then transfer to the ice water. Drain, squeeze out excess water and chop medium-fine. Add the chard stems to the water, and cook four to five minutes until tender. Transfer to the ice water, then drain and cut in 1/4-inch dice. Measure out 3/4 cup of the stems, and reserve the rest for another purpose. Alternatively, steam the chard leaves, then the stems, above an inch of boiling water until tender. The leaves will take three to four minutes, the stems five minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a medium or large skillet. Add the garlic. When it is fragrant, in 30 seconds to a minute, stir in the chard leaves and stems and the cumin. Stir together for about a minute, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl, and add the quinoa, Parmesan and egg. Stir together.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the canola oil together over medium-high heat in a large, heavy skillet. Moisten your hands, and shape the quinoa and chard mixture into four hamburger-size patties (or make smaller, fritter-ish patties). Carefully place the patties in the hot oil, taking care not to crowd them in the pan. Press down on the tops of the patties with the bottom of your spatula to prevent them from falling apart; if they are thick enough, they should stay together. Cook for four to five minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove from the heat and serve.

BAKED SWISS CHARD

Steps:

• Put a pan of salted water on to boil and cook the chard stalks for 2 mins until tender. Remove the stalks with a slotted spoon. Add the leaves and cook for 30 secs-1 min. Drain and reserve 200ml of the cooking water. In a saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer, then add the garlic and cook for 2 mins. Whisk in the water, egg yolks and 140g Parmesan, and let them all melt together and bubble for 3 mins.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Add the chard to the saucepan, season, mix well and tip into a greased baking dish. Top with the breadcrumbs, thyme and remaining Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 15 mins. Remove the foil and cook for 15 mins more until golden and bubbling.

SWISS CHARD WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Remove Swiss chard stems and cut into small pieces. Slice leaves into strips. Set both aside.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet and saute chard stems for 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Mix in chard leaves, cover, and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Uncover, stir and cook for 2 minutes longer. Season with salt and squeeze lemon juice on top.

CHARD CAKES WITH SORREL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a food processor or a blender, place sorrel, yogurt, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the mustard and salt to taste; process until it is bright green. Taste and add salt, if desired. Refrigerate until needed.
• Cut woody white stalks from chard leaves. Bring a large pan of water to boil. Add the stalks and simmer for 4 minutes. Then add the leaves, stir and continue simmering for 3 minutes. Drain the chard and allow to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much water as possible. Chop leaves and stalks roughly and put in a medium bowl.
• In a small skillet, fry pine nuts in 1 tablespoon olive oil for 1 minute, or until light brown. Add nuts and oil to the chard, followed by the cheese, egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. If mixture is very soft and sticky, add more crumbs.
• Pour enough frying oil into a large skillet to come 1/4 inch up the sides. Shape chard mixture into eight patties roughly 2 inches in diameter and 5/8-inch thick. Fry them for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Place on paper towels to absorb oil. Serve warm or at room temperature, with sauce on the side.

SWISS CHARD GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray shallow 1 1/2-quart casserole or gratin dish with cooking spray. Rinse Swiss chard; shake to remove excess moisture and pat dry. Cut leaves from stalks; finely chop stalks and leaves and keep separate.
• In small bowl, mix bread crumbs, cheese and melted butter; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat cream and garlic to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in chopped chard stalks; cook 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and beginning to brown. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chopped chard leaves, salt and pepper; cook 4 minutes or until wilted. Drain well, pressing with back of spoon. Spread mixture in casserole.
• Strain cream, discarding garlic. Pour cream over chard. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and top is golden brown.

SWISS CHARD AND HERB FRITTERS

Steps:

• Season chard with 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit in a colander 10 minutes. Squeeze out excess water with your hands. Transfer to a cutting board and chop.
• Finely grind coriander and caraway seeds in spice mill or with mortar and pestle. Finely chop cilantro, dill, and parsley.
• Toss chard, ground coriander and caraway seeds, herbs, onions, breadcrumbs, harissa, pepper, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Beat 3 eggs to blend in a small bowl, then stir into chard mixture.
• Working 3 Tbsp. at a time, portion chard mixture into round, flat patties (you should have about 25 total). Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet or plate.
• Shape 3 tablespoons of the mixture into round flat patties. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
• Pour oil into a large heavy skillet to a depth of 1/4" and heat over medium until shimmering. Beat remaining 3 eggs to blend in a medium wide shallow bowl.
• Dip each patty into egg, letting excess drip back into bowl. Working in batches, fry patties until set and a golden brown crust forms, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; season with salt.
• Serve immediately or at room temperature with yogurt alongside, if using.