Description
Ina Garten’s sautéed rainbow chard brings Mediterranean elegance to your dinner table with simple, fresh ingredients. Colorful stems and tender leaves dance together in olive oil and garlic, creating a delightful side dish you can enjoy alongside grilled proteins or as a nutritious vegetarian option.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) rainbow chard, washed, with some water still on the leaves
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced garlic (6 cloves)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Cheese:
- ¼ cup (60 grams) grated Italian Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Meticulously separate the chard stems from the leaves, slicing stems into 1-inch crosswise segments and roughly tearing the green leafy portions into substantial pieces.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious 12-inch (30-centimeter) skillet over moderate temperature until the oil becomes shimmering and fragrant.
- Introduce the chopped chard stems to the heated oil, allowing them to simmer and soften for approximately 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Incorporate finely minced garlic, of salt, and ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) of freshly ground black pepper into the pan, quickly sautéing for precisely 60 seconds to prevent garlic from scorching.
- Gradually add chard leaves in batches, utilizing tongs to gently fold and distribute them across the skillet, cooking over medium-high heat until each leaf becomes completely wilted and tender.
- Remove the skillet from direct heat, generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the cooked chard, and perform a final seasoning assessment, adjusting salt and pepper according to personal preference.
- Transfer the aromatic chard to a serving dish and present warm, allowing the residual heat to continue melding the flavors.
Notes
- Perfectly timed garlic prevents burning, adding just one minute before introducing the chard leaves.
- Consistent stem chopping ensures even cooking and tender texture throughout the dish.
- Gradual leaf addition prevents pan overcrowding and promotes uniform wilting.
- Quick cooking keeps chard leaves vibrant and prevents mushy, overcooked greens.
- Final seasoning adjustment lets you customize salt and pepper after adding Parmesan for maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
- Calories: 474
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 34.6g
- Saturated Fat: 8.1g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 19mg