Garden recipes: Swiss Chard Tart

I have swiss and rainbow chard growing in my garden right now, and have been cooking it every way I can think of - sauteed, baked into crispy chips, fresh in salads, atop grilled pizza - you name it, I've tried it. Here's my chard tart, my latest recipe for a delicious way to enjoy these greens:

1) Start with a simple pie crust, either store-bought or from scratch if you prefer. Fit into a 9-inch round pan.

2) Saute chard in a pan with onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper to taste.

3) Mix eggs, milk, grated gouda, and blue cheese (if desired.) The ratio is 3 eggs to a cup of milk and 1/2 cup cheese, roughly. Our next door neighbors have chickens so we get our eggs fresh, and it really does make a difference in flavor. Whisk together.

4) Add sauteed vegetables to the egg-cheese mixture. Pour into the pie crust:

(Note I placed the blue cheese on one side; you can also top with grated parmesan.)

5) Bake at 425 for 15 minutes and then reduce to 350 for 10 minutes or until golden brown like this:

Enjoy hot or cold, best served alongside (you guessed it) more salad from the garden!

Swiss Chard with Raisins and Almonds

It's farmer's market season, and what does that mean? Fresh squash, kale, and a rainbow of chard! (Yes, that was a lame vegetable joke. I couldn't help myself.) Here's a tasty swiss chard recipe:

Ingredients
1/2 onion, chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil (good quality!)
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (I had Hungarian but Spanish would be ideal)
1 bunch Swiss chard, center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins (I may have used more, but I really love these jewels)
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup almonds, mix of both slivered and coarsely chopped with skins

Cook onion with pinch salt in olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat, stirring, until softened. Sprinkle with paprika and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add chard in batches, stirring frequently, until wilted, then add raisins and water. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until chard is tender, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add almonds and cook in until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir almonds over chard. Serve immediately - this hearty veg dish is a meal itself!