Tips and Recipes
for Brookfield Farm Crops

  
   
 
 
Chard (Beta vulgaris)

 Indigenous to the Mediterranean, chard is often referred to as Swiss chard, after a Swiss botanist wrote of it in the 16th century. Chard is a dark leafy green similar to beet greens and spinach, but chard contains no oxalic acid, which tends to bind minerals during digestion and make them unavailable. These greens are packed with vitamins A, E, C, iron, and calcium.
 
 

 

Recipes:

Stuffed Chard Leaves
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp oil
2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped parsley
3/4 cup raisins
1 tsp dill
3/4 tsp salt
5 -10 large swiss chard leaves

Preheat oven to 350 F. Sauté onion. Mix all ingredients except chard. Wash and dry chard and remove stems. Place 2 tbsp of filling on the underside of the leaf, a third of the way from the bottom. Fold over the sides of the leaf and roll up into a square packet. Place seam-side down in a greased casserole. Cover and bake for about 30 minutes. Bake any extra filling and serve with stuffed leaves.


Savory Chard Pancakes
2 cups chard leaves, steamed
1 cup buttermilk or soy milk
1 tsp chives
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
10-12 tbsp butter, melted
salt and pepper

Squeeze out excess liquid from chard. Transfer to a food processor together with buttermilk and chop finely. Add the onion and eggs and pulse on and off to combine. Mix flour, baking powder, and 4 tbsp butter. Let rest 1 hour. In medium skillet heat 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Cook pancakes until bottom is lightly browned, turn with spatula, and cook other side until slightly browned. Serve warm, sprinkled with black pepper, top with smoked fish, or drizzle with melted butter. Nice with sour cream as well.

Greens and pasta
1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups greens (chard, Chinese cabbage)
4-5 mushrooms, white or wild, chopped
1/2 cup lowfat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

Sauté garlic and mushrooms in oil until soft. Add greens and cook until just wilted. Add ricotta cheese and heat over low flame until hot. Remove from heat. Stir in mozzarella cheese and serve over pasta.


Herbed Chard and Rice Bake
2 bunches Chard
4 tbsp butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
pinch of sugar
3/4 cup milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp thyme
1 cup grated cheddar
1 cup cooked rice
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Preheat the oven to 350. Be sure the chard is well washed; shake dry. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until slightly wilted, 3-4 minutes. Add the chard to the onions, sprinkle with the salt and sugar, and toss until the chard is wilted 3-4 minutes longer. Mix the milk, eggs, Worcestershire , and thyme in a large bowl. Stir in the chard mixture, rice, and all but 2 tbsp of the cheese. Pour the mixture into a buttered shallow baking dish, such as an 11x 7-inch rectangular dish, or a 9-inch round pan. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese. Bake until the mixture is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot, cut into squares or wedges.

 

Storage Tips:

  • Wrap chard in damp towel or place in plastic bag and keep in the hydrator drawer of the refrigerator.

  • Chard is best used fresh but will keep for 2-4 days if kept moist and refrigerated.

  • Chard freezes well. Blanch chopped leaves for 3 minutes, rinse in cold water, drain, and place in airtight container or zip-lock bag. Freeze.