03 September 2013

Swiss Chard Strata


Swiss Chard Strata

Served with salad
      Sitting around the table one evening, a very dear friend of mine mentioned that she can't be bothered cooking for just herself.
"Why bother. It's only me eating," she said.
"Only you?" I replied shocked by her comment.
"Yeah and take out is lots easier and faster," she said.
"Only you?" I repeated my voice raising ever so slightly.
      My husband gave me that "let it go glance". That look he gives me when he knows I am about to explode or implode when someone makes a comment that triggers my lectures. I tried to hold back. I really did but like Mount St. Helens, I erupted.
"Who in the world is more important to cook for than yourself? I asked but did not wait for an answer. I just continued spouting every food cliche that entered my mind. "Food is the fuel for your body. It is what feeds your brain. It is the jewel of life. You have to take care of yourself first before you can help others."
       On and on I went for at least ten minutes. Did she listen? Did she care? Was she still  my friend? The next day she called me at dinner time.
" Guess what I'm doing?" she asked.
" Stepping out of a fast food restaurant," I answered with a laugh.
" Making Swiss chard and mushroom strata," she said.
I grinned like the Cheshire cat.

And here is the recipe. Delicious, nutritious and naturally easy to make. Strata are like a quiche but bread is used rather than crust. The secret to this recipe is slice very thin, chop very small, and saute very gently on lower heat. Enjoy.

About a six inch piece of baguette cut into small cubes. Bake these in a 400 degree oven until dry and golden. I used whole wheat bread.

In a skillet, saute over low heat until golden one small onion chopped. Cover but stir often. This will take about 3 minutes, if that.

Add 1 cup mushrooms sliced, 1 clove garlic chopped, 1 tsp fresh thyme chopped, and a bit of salt and pepper. Cover but stir often. Cook about 3 minutes or until mushrooms are soft. 

Add finely chopped Swiss chard and cook until wilted. About 3 minutes. Stir often.

In a small bowl mix together 4 large eggs with 11/2 cups milk. Add 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese or cheese of your choosing.

In a quiche dish or pie dish, put the Swiss chard mixture and pour the egg mixture over top. Sprinkle top with paprika if you have it. Bake in a 400 degree oven until golden and set in the center. About 20 to 25  minutes but check after 15 minutes.







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