Chard Soup With Cilantro Food

WHITE BEAN-CHARD SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cook until the vegetables are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and broth, bring to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the roasted peppers, minced garlic and cilantro and cook until the garlic is soft, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chard, cover and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the contents of the skillet into the pot and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toast the bread, then rub with the whole garlic clove. Serve the soup with the bread and lemon wedges, if desired.

SWISS CHARD AND LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON JUICE

Steps:

• Wash the strips of Swiss Chard; drain.
• In a large saucepan put the lentils and about 9 cups of water, place on high heat. Bring
• to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and add the Swiss Chard. Cover and boil gently for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a skillet, add onions. Cook on medium heat until translucent; add the garlic paste and cilantro and cook gently for 3 minutes; transfer to the saucepan and mix well with the softened chard and the lentils.
• Continue cooking covered for another 45 minutes until the lentils are tender.
• Slowly incorporate the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper; simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, serve at room temperature.
• In the winter I tend to add potatoes to this soup, making it more hearty. This soup is nice and tart.

SWISS CHARD AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Place bacon in a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Add 1/3 cup water, and cook over medium heat until water evaporates. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Sauté until lightly browned. Drain, leaving 2 tablespoons fat in pan.
• Add onion and garlic to oil in pan and sauté over low heat until soft and barely golden. Add potatoes and 8 cups water. Bring to a boil, season with salt, and cook until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.
• If using the eggs, poach them, drain, trim any ragged edges, and set aside.
• Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon to a large mixing bowl, and roughly mash them with a fork or a potato masher. Return potatoes to liquid in pot, and stir to dissolve them.
• Add chickpeas, reserved bacon, chard leaves and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bring to a simmer, and cook about 5 minutes, until leaves wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to warm soup plates. If using the eggs, add one to each plate. Top with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of the remaining olive oil.