11/08/2009

Warm Swiss Chard Salad in Brown Butter, with Sauteed Vegetables, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese

Having extremely enjoyed chard directly from a garden, I decided to make this yummy and healthy green more versatile by basing a salad on it. Although, my garden is non existent, living in NYC, the local veggie market has a great selection of greens. The nuttiness of the brown butter along with the veggies really brings out all the fall flavors; while the walnuts give a nice crunch and tie in with the brown butter. As an addition, cube some multi-grain bread and toast-to make multi-grain croutons, and top the salad. Yum! (serves 2):
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1 lb Swiss Chard
4 T butter
1 shallot-minced
1.5 cups yellow squash-cut into finger size rectangles
1.5 cups zucchini- cut into finger size rectangles
2 cups eggplant-cut into small dice
1 oz olive oil
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup grape tomatoes-halved
1/2 cup pear-cut into small dice
1/2 cup goat cheese
salt-to taste
pepper-to taste
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1. Cut the ends off of the bottom of the stems of the chard, and dice them into very small pieces; reserve.
2. Cut the chard into ribbons; reserve.
3. In a pan, heat the butter until it's lightly boiling (on medium heat) and continuously stir until it nicely browns and the aroma is nutty. Remove from heat, transfer to another container, and reserve (if you leave it in the same pot, which is hot, it will burn).
4. In a saute pan, sear the shallot in brown butter, add chard and turn continuously with tongs until it just begins to wilt; season with salt and pepper, remove immediately, and allow to cool.
5. In a saute pan, cook the squash and zucchini, in the brown butter, until soft and light brown; season, remove, and allow to cool.
6. In a saute pan, cook the eggplant in olive oil until soft and light brown; season, remove, and allow to cool.
7. To serve, toss the chard with walnuts and place on a plate; top with squash, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and pear; dot small spoonfuls of goat cheese on top of salad.
8. Enjoy!

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