Swiss Chard au Gratin
Print Recipe
As virtuous as greens may be, this is not the time of year for them to rest on their laurels. Rather, it’s the season for covering them in a creamy white sauce and topping them with buttery bread crumbs and decadent cheese. This au gratin dish is perfect for your holiday table--it can be prepped in advance, in individual portions or in one big family-size baking dish. Diet starts in January.
Ingredients
2 bunches Swiss chard
4 tablespoons butter
1 small sweet onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1¼ cups whole milk, at room temperature
¼ cup heavy cream, at room temperature
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs
⅓ cup grated pecorino cheese
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Grease a large casserole dish or six individual casserole dishes with butter.
2. Prepare the Swiss chard: Remove the base of the stems and discard. Slice the stems about ½-inch thick and roughly chop the leaves. In a large bowl, prepare an ice-water bath. In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the stems until they’re nearly tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the stems to the ice water. Repeat with the leaves, cooking for just 1 minute before transferring to the ice water. Drain the Swiss chard well and set aside.
3. Make the white sauce: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Stir in the flour and cook until the mixture has a slightly toasty smell, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the milk and cream, whisking well to ensure no lumps form. Cook until the mixture comes to a simmer; it should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the blanched Swiss chard to the white sauce, tossing well to coat the greens evenly. Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish or dishes.
6. Prepare the topping: Toss the bread crumbs with the melted butter and mix well to combine. Stir in the pecorino cheese. Top the Swiss chard mixture with the bread-crumb mixture.
7. Bake until the sauce is bubbly and the bread crumbs are toasted, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
Note: This dish can be made one day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking.
364 calories
24g fat
29g carbs
10g protein
8g sugars
Powered By
Note: The information shown is Edamam's estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.