Adding green or brown lentils to sautéed chard makes a filling, healthy side dish. First cook the lentils with onion and garlic for a little extra flavor, then stir them into the sautéed chard. Add a dash of red wine vinegar and a few crumbles of feta cheese and serve with baked salmon or lamb.

What to buy: Swiss chard comes in many varieties and colors including rainbow chard, which is not a variety itself but a mixture of various colors. Any type of Swiss chard will work in this recipe.

Look for brown or green lentils. If you substitute French green (or Puy) lentils, you’ll need to add a bit more water and allow for a longer lentil-cooking time.

For more Spring produce recipes, see How to Steam Artichokes.

  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients (10)

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup small-dice yellow onion (from about 1/2 medium onion)
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils
  • 2 cups water
  • 12 ounces Swiss chard (about 1 bunch)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
  • 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the lentils, stir to combine, and add the water. Increase the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are just tender and the water has evaporated, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, trim the ends from the chard stems and discard. Cut off the stems at the base of the leaves and slice the stems crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces. Place in a small bowl and set aside. Stack the leaves, cut them in half lengthwise, then coarsely chop into bite-sized pieces; set aside.
  4. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large frying or straight-sided pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the reserved chard stems, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the chopped chard leaves, measured salt, and measured pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the red wine vinegar and reserved lentil mixture until evenly combined. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, about 3 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle in the feta and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.