Chard - eat the stems!

By Shelby Spears
spears@spearsstrong.com

Chard is plentiful this time of year and has been a repeat in our CSA box from Yacolt Mountain Farm. 

If you're not familiar with this green, it is full of great vitamins and actually is from the beet family! The stems can be really pretty. You may know it also as rainbow chard. But those stems are not only asthetically pleasing, they are a bit sweet too and you should be eating them, according to Caroline Swansey of Yacolt Mountain Farm. 

Chard on its own has a mineral taste (which is a strong indication that it's quite good for you and full of nutrients your body needs). But, as tender as it is right now, Caroline suggest chopping it up and throwing it into your every day salad with a mix of other greens and veggies. 

"I just shred it and I add it to .... everything," she says.

Caroline also adds nutritional yeast to take the bitter edge off chard. Nutritional Yeast is a great vegan alternative to cheese that is also known for its many health benefits. Plus, it's scrumptious. Top your salad with some nutritional yeast or add it to a salad dressing. I like to blend it with cashews to make a vegan caesar dressing. 

Dairy Free Caesar Dressing

Ingredients
2/3 c raw cashews
1/2 c unsweetened nut milk
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 T Nutritional Yeast
3 T lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard
black pepper and salt to taste

Blend in a high powered food processor or blender and enjoy on your greens- don't forget the chard! 

Interested in additional expert nutrition advice, healthy recipes and inspiration to live well? Email spears@spearsstrong.com to learn about our online accountability program.