Swiss Chard in Sauce Gruyere

It's loose again's Note:

The suprise hits of this year's Thankgiving dinner were the vegetable side dishes. This was the green vegetable I served. I used red Swiss chard, giving the dish a holiday look. The dish can be finished in the oven while the turkey is resting.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 bunches swiss chard
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 dash Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• black pepper, to taste
• 1 pinch salt

Directions:

1. Seperate the stems and leaves of the chard.
2. Wash the stems and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
3. Wash the leaves in 2 changes of water as they can be sandy.
4. Spin dry and coarsely chop the leaves.
5. Heat the oil in a wok or large pan.
6. Add the stem pieces and a pinch of salt and stir-fry until tender, about 5 minutes.
7. Add the leaves and cover.
8. Steam until leaves wilt, stirring occasionally.
9. If mixture is too wet, uncover and cook off excess liquid.
10. Transfer to an oven proof casserole and set aside.
11. Preheat oven to 350°F.
12. Prepare a Sauce Velouté.
13. Melt butter in a saucepan.
14. Add flour and cook, stirring for 3-4 minutes.
15. Add 1/4 cup stock, stirring to form a paste.
16. Continue adding stock, a little at a time, stirring to incorporate before adding more stock.
17. This will prevent lumping.
18. When all the stock has been added, season with a dash of Old Bay and a grinding of pepper.
19. Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the spoon.
20. Remove from heat, stir in nutmeg, whisk in cheese, pour over chard.
21. Finish in oven 20-25 minutes.

Reviews

[Cherbear64]

Five stars just aren't enough for this one. I grow Swiss Chard and freeze it, my family loves to eat it in place of spinach, I am always looking for new and different ways of serving it. I found this recipe, made it and the family gave it rave reviews, This one is one that will be made again and again!

[sarahinparis]

Excellent. It's not a simple dish to prepare but it's really worth it. The dish is rich enough and delicious enough it could be the start attraction for a vegetarian meal. Was a big hit and a great way to use a not-so-obvious vegetable

[Heather the Flutist]

Myself and my family greatly enjoyed this recipe! Although a little time consuming to make the sauce, it was well worth the time.