Swiss Chard Stir Fry

Do you get in a rut with your dinner vegetable rotation?  Green beans, broccoli, lettuce salad - - cook, eat, repeat, it's an easy routine to fall into! Every time I try something different it reminds me that something different should be the routine, stepping outside the known vegetable comfort zone and experimenting with a new vegetable recipe.  This is the perfect time of year to pursue something new, gardens are in full production and farmers markets are open with an abundance of all kinds of fresh vegetables, maybe even some you haven't tried!

This week I had a bag of fresh Swiss Chard from our local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm - April Joy Farms (The link is a good read if you have an interest in knowing about supporting local agriculture).  A little research online led me to this simple idea of preparing the swiss chard as a stir fry with a little olive oil and garlic.  A little more exploring, and I discovered how good swiss chard is for you, packed with all kinds of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients such as Vitamin K, A, C, and it's an anti-inflammatory! So just know - it's REALLY good for you and tastes great!  

So while you are menu planning for the week, look for a new veggie to try out, maybe even swiss chard!  Enjoy!

One large bunch fresh Swiss Chard
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, sliced thin
1/4 tsp whole coriander seeds
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Rinse the chard and cut the stalks from the leaves. Cut the stalk pieces into 1-inch chunks and slice the leaves into 1-inch wide strips, keeping separate.  Heat the olive oil to medium high.  Saute the garlic and coriander seeds in the olive oil for one minute to release the flavors, reduce heat to medium. Add the swiss chard stalks and cook for about 5 minutes.  Add the chopped leaves, stirring to coat with the olive oil (tongs work well here).  Cover and cook for about another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the leaves become tender.  Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.