Meatless Monday with Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Garlic Chips

Hello and welcome (back) to the Miratel blog. Thanks for stopping by on Meatless Monday as we share another vegetarian recipe.  We took the Meatless Monday pledge as part of our CSR business initiatives in support of reducing meat consumption by 15% to improve personal health and the health of the planet.

Today’s recipe for Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Garlic Chips is a fast and delicious dish that is perfect to throw together for weekday dinners and with leftovers packed up for lunch the next day. The recipe includes nutritional swiss chard which is perfect this time of year and pairs it with the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities of garlic. We have made a version of this pasta for years but we got the proportions for this recipe from Savory Spicy Sweet, a great foodie blog with recipes that will satisfy both vegetarians and omnivores alike. Even if their recipes weren’t amazing, their beautiful photography alone would be worth the visit. If you have a moment, check it out for yourself. Our photo today is thanks to them. Now let’s get cooking.

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried currants*
• 2 pounds green Swiss chard, stems and center ribs finely chopped and leaves coarsely chopped separately
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, cut into slivers
• 6 ounces feta, crumbled (1 1/2 cups)

*I’m not one for sweet stuff in my savoury food so I left the currants out

Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Garlic Chips image courtesy of Savory Spicy Sweet @ lizscookingblog.blogspot.com

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook garlic, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer garlic with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
2. Cook onion in oil remaining in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add currants and cook, stirring, until plumped, about 1 minute. Stir chard stems into onion mixture with water and 3/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in chard leaves and cook, covered, until stems and leaves are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 5 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water and drain spaghetti.
4. Toss spaghetti with chard, olives, and 1/2 cup cooking water, adding more cooking water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with feta and garlic chips.

The best part of a recipe like this is that you can play with it to suit your palate. You can exchange the swiss chard for spinach or rapini. You can increase the fibre and choose to use a spelt, whole wheat or gluten-free pasta made from brown rice or quinoa. You can also substitute the feta with another sharp dairy or vegan cheese of your liking. Also, if you like your food spicy, chili flakes are a great touch. Serve with a seasonal side raw salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.

We encourage you to visit the Meatless Monday website and join us in taking the pledge to reduce meat consumption one day per week. It’s easy with simple and delicious recipes like this one. Spread the word at work to promote the value of CSR business initiatives and help make your green call centre, non-profit, office, factory, shop or salon even greener.

Enjoy!

What is Meatless Monday?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8u9VOgkiQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

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Miratel Solutions is a Toronto call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional fundraising services including telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery services, donation caging, donation processing and other donor management services. We are committed to our CSR business values and advancing the missions of the non-profits we proudly serve.