Bietola Swiss Chard Gratin
Creamy with just a hint of mustard, this rustic gratin makes for a lovely side dish.
Ingredients:
1 pound Bietola Swiss chard, with both stems and leaves intact
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1¾ cup heavy cream
Grated Grana-style cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Butter, for baking dish
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 350°. Cut the chard leaves from the stems. Chop the stems into short lengths, then cook briefly in boiling, lightly salted water until crisply tender. Remove the stems. Drop the leaves in the boiling water briefly, until they relax. Drain, let cool, and wring out the leaves. Spread the stems and leaves in a buttered shallow ovenproof dish.
2. Put the mustard in a bowl and stir in the cream and a grinding of salt and black pepper. Pour the seasoned cream over the stems and leaves, cover with grated Parmesan, and bake, 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Honey-Kissed Carrots with Sea Salt
The opposing flavors of sweet honey and flaky sea salt balance this beautiful side.
Ingredients:
1 bunch carrots, ends trimmed
¼ cup olive oil
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoons sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
Tomme, Grana or Parmesan cheese, for grating
Method:
1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the oil, thyme, bay and garlic. When the oil is hot, add the carrots and cook, tossing often, for 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender.
2. Taste for seasoning, then add the honey and coat the carrots, tossing a few times before transferring to a serving dish. Sprinkle the sea salt evenly on the carrots, making sure it sticks to the honey. Lastly, add a couple of twists of black pepper and grated cheese if desired.
Roasted Delicata Squash
Buttery and incredibly delicious, Delicata squash is wonderful roasted with just a touch of brown sugar and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients:
2 Delicata squash (about 3 pounds)
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. With a sharp knife, cut Delicata in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard (or, save and roast like pumpkin seeds if you wish). Cut each Delicata half into ½-inch slices.
2. Arrange the pieces in a single layer in a metal baking pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with brown sugar and red pepper flakes (if using), then season with salt and pepper.
3. Place in oven and roast 10 minutes. Using a spatula, turn squash in pan. Continue roasting, turning every 7-10 minutes until both sides of the squash pieces are golden brown and the texture is creamy to the teeth all the way through, about 25-30 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper as needed, and serve.
Sautéed Collard Greens
Try this traditional Southern favorite with a fried egg on top for breakfast!
Ingredients:
1 large bunch collard greens, tough stems and ends removed, leaves coarsely chopped
½ cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt
Method:
1. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in Collard greens and 1 teaspoon salt.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add water, and steam, covered, until greens are just tender and water evaporates, about 10 minutes. If greens are ready but there is still water in the pan, raise heat to medium-high, and cook, uncovered, until completely evaporated.
