This is a quick and easy vegan side dish of Sautéed Swiss chard with White Beans that is flavoured with lots of garlic and shallots. Hearty, healthy, and satisfying, it's perfect for a weeknight meal or for a fancier holiday feast!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1large bunch* of Swiss chard (I used rainbow)
2tablespoonsolive oil
1/3cupdiced shallotsabout 2 medium shallots
2 garlic clovesthinly sliced, or minced
2teaspoonsfresh thyme leavesplus sprigs for garnish
1teaspoonsaltplus more to taste
1/4teaspoonfreshly ground pepper
2fifteen-and-a-half-ounce cans white beansdrained and rinsed
2tablespoons red, or white-wine vinegar
pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Wash Swiss chard to remove dirt and sand then strip or cut the leaves from the stems. Cut the stalks into 1-inch pieces. Roughly chop the leaves into 1-inch strips. Keep the chopped stalks and leaves separate.
Heat a large saucepan with the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add shallots and sauté until soft and just starting to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and thyme leaves, and cook until fragrant about 30 seconds.
Stir in the chard stalks and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Place half of the chard leaves in the saucepan and toss until they lose some volume, about 30 seconds. Add in the other half of chard leaves and continue to toss until just wilted; this should only take about 1 minute - you don't want to overcook them.
Stir in the white beans and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Toss gently to combine and cook until beans are warm, about 1 more minute. Taste and season with a little more salt and/or pepper, if necessary.
Serve immediately, or allow to sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours. When ready to serve, sprinkle with a generous pinch of flaky sea salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Notes
*A large bunch of Swiss chard: I realize bunches of chard can vary greatly but it is too difficult to offer a proper weight or volume. It is best not to get hung up on an exact amount as a little less or a little more will not affect the outcome of the dish. If your bundle of chard seems very small, grab two. If it seems like a hefty bunch, you're good with one bunch.