I absolutely love greens…I am a vegetable lover at heart. Not sure if early on I hated veggies like most kids (including my son). I think from middle school on I ate all vegetables, except brussel sprouts (I like them now). My favorite way to eat vegetables are in salads or sauteed like this swiss chard recipe. This recipe is simple but packed with flavor. I love that swiss chard is tender like spinach but has way more flavor! Since it’s is like spinach it literally takes like 5 minutes to wilt and your done!
Cracked mustard seeds are used here. The flavor has a nice bite, but not too overpowering as if you were to use mustard powder. I love how in Indian cuisine whole spices are routinely used in the very beginning of a dish, first sizzled in some type of fat to release the flavors. That is what I have done here. I bought them whole and then lightly cracked them in a mortar and pestle. Also, placing the seeds in a ziploc bag and hitting them with a rolling pin would work the same.
You will want to wash the swiss chard (after it has been chopped) in a sink full of water. It is grown in sandy soil and can be very dirty. I fill up the sink with water and dump the greens swish it around and let it sit for a few minutes, to let the sand fall to the bottom. I do this usually two – three times until the water looks pretty clean.
Swiss Chard with Mustard Seeds
3 bunches of swiss chard, cleaned and chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp cracked mustard seeds
1/2 red onion sliced
pinch of red pepper flakes
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add mustard seeds and red pepper. Stir. When the mustard seeds begin to sizzle add the red onions and saute for 2-3 minutes or until slightly soft. Then add the chard and salt. Saute for about 5-7 minutes or until wilted. Once wilted turn off heat and stir in vinegar. Done, done and done!