Swiss Chard with Yam

This is the season for fresh local swiss chard and garlic.  

The two combined with yams make an exceptionally tasty, colourful and nutrient rich meal.  

A meal in itself if served with pasta.  

Swiss chard is similar to spinach and beet greens, slightly  bitter, with a good fresh flavour. Swiss chard has an exceptionally impressive list of health promoting nutrients, along with kale, mustard greens and collard greens. It is a tall leafy green vegetable with a thick, crunchy stalk that comes in white, red or yellow with wide fan-like green leaves. 

Both the leaves and stalk of chard are edible, although the stems vary in texture with the white ones being the most tender. 

Chop or tear the swiss chard into large bite size pieces.  Peel and set aside whole cloves of one head of garlic (the more the merrier, i say - so try 2 or three heads!).  Chop one large yam into big cubes and set aside.

To a hot pan add olive oil, yam and the whole garlic cloves.  Add a touch of water (about 1-2 tablespoon) and reduce heat and cover.  After the garlic and yams have softened (about 5 minutes depending on the garlic) add the chard and increase heat slightly to wilt the chard, if needed add salt to taste now.   Chard with yam and garlic is a great side dish all on it's own. Toss with pasta and you have a delicious and filing meal!

Try omitting the yams and try the chard with the garlic on it's own.  Fantastic!

Eat Well,

Be Well.

Enjoy!