Hot and Sour Swiss Chard

A little preperation gives you big flavors to dress up your greens… try making a big batch to reheat throughout the week. This dish goes great with steamed brown rice and sautéed shrimp and mushrooms.

Serves: 4
Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
2 Tblsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tblsp honey
1 Tblsp tomato paste
¼ tsp red chili flakes
2 tsp olive oil
1 medium shallot, peeled and finely diced
1 large bunch Swiss chard, washed, stems and leaves separated, and sliced into 1” pieces
Sea salt/pepper to taste
1 Tblsp sesame seeds to garnish, optional

Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, honey, tomato paste, and chili flakes; set aside.

2. In a large heated skillet, sauté the olive oil and shallot for 1 minute, until translucent. Add the chard stems, and sauté for one more minute. Then add the chard leaves, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and sauté for another two minutes. Remove contents from the pan to a plate or bowl, and set aside.

3. Next, return the skillet to medium heat, and pour the sauce mixture into the pan. While stirring, allow the sauce to reduce for about one minute, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Return the cooked chard and shallot to the pan, toss to coat, and either serve from the pan or from a serving dish. Sprinkle sesame seeds and serve hot.

Recipe adapted from http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/Recipe/Hot-Sour-Swiss-Chard.aspx, January, 2011.