Have you had your Swiss chard lately? If you're like me, it may not be something you eat very often. Chard is a member of the beet family with bright green leaves and red celery-like stalks. The greens can be prepared like spinach. It's an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C as well as containing many other essential vitamins and minerals.

I started eating more Swiss chard after I got the following recipe from a girlfriend. It uses a unique combination of ingredients along with quinoa, for an interesting and healthy side dish that looks pretty and tastes delicious too. I'd say it's a good reason to start eating more chard!

Swiss Chard and Quinoa

• 1 1/2 cups broth (I use chicken)
• 3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 2 t extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bunch Swiss chard (about a pound)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• 1 t salt
• 1/8 t pepper
• 1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Bring broth and quinoa to a boil. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes.
2. Roughly chop all the Swiss chard greens.
3. Chop stalks in 1/4" pieces; enough to make 1/2 cup.
4. In large pot heat oil over medium.
5. Add onions and chard stalks and stir fry 5 minutes.
6. Add chard greens, raisins, and olives; continue to cook and stir another 5 minutes until chard is wilted and raisins and olives warmed.
7. Remove from heat and add cooked quinoa.
8. Stir in lemon juice, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
   Makes about 4 servings.

Slym Cook says: This is good served immediately as well as cold the next day. I like to make it in the afternoon and serve it at room temperature for dinner, along with the main dish. It's also a good stand-alone healthy afternoon snack choice.