Veal with chard

Delicious Veal Recipe with Swiss Chard

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Swiss chard, a leafy green plant often underestimated, is a wonderful choice when you want to replace spinach. It has a similar but more vibrant taste and pairs beautifully with veal, creating a delicious and nutritious dish. This simple and quick recipe is perfect for a family lunch or a dinner with friends. Let’s see how we can achieve a perfect result, step by step!

Ingredients:
- 500 g veal (tenderloin or another tender cut)
- 200 g fresh Swiss chard leaves
- 1 green onion
- 100 g fresh parsley
- 100 g lamb's quarters (optional)
- 2-3 tablespoons tomato paste (to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or another vegetable oil

History and Nutritional Benefits:
Veal is an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, and essential minerals such as zinc and iron. Combined with Swiss chard, which is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and magnesium, this dish becomes not only tasty but also very nutritious. Swiss chard has been cultivated since ancient times and has been valued for its beneficial properties.

Preparation Techniques:
1. Preparing the meat: Start by slicing the veal into thin pieces, as for schnitzels. Use a meat mallet to lightly pound it, making it more tender. This step is essential, as the pounded meat will cook faster and absorb flavors better.

2. Boiling the meat: Place the slices of meat in a pot with cold water and bring to a boil. Let it boil for a few minutes, skimming off the foam that forms on the surface. This process helps clean the meat and results in a cleaner, tastier dish. After boiling for a bit, remove the meat from the water and set it aside.

3. Preparing the vegetables: Chop the Swiss chard leaves, green onion, and parsley finely. If using lamb's quarters, chop it as well. In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil and add the chopped vegetables, sautéing them over medium heat for a few minutes until they become slightly soft.

4. Combining the ingredients: Add the veal to the skillet, along with enough hot water to cover the ingredients. Let it simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the meat is tender and well-cooked, add the tomato paste, salt, and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes for the flavors to combine.

5. Serving: The dish can be served warm, topped with lemon slices or drizzled with a little lemon juice for added freshness. A side of rice or mashed potatoes pairs perfectly with this main course.

Useful Tips:
- If you want to add an even more intense flavor, you can include a few minced garlic cloves while sautéing the vegetables.
- You can replace the tomato paste with freshly made tomato sauce for a more natural taste.
- Experiment with other greens, such as spinach or arugula, to vary the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use other types of meat? Yes, this recipe can easily be adapted with chicken or pork, just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the type of meat chosen.
2. How can I store the dish? You can store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little water to prevent drying out.
3. Is this recipe suitable for vegans? Unfortunately, this recipe is not vegan due to the veal, but you can adapt it using tofu or tempeh instead of meat.

Variations:
- If you want to turn this dish into a vegetarian meal, you can replace the meat with mushrooms or seasonal vegetables like zucchini or eggplant.
- Another delicious option would be to add green olives for a Mediterranean taste.

Whether you choose to prepare it for an everyday meal or a special occasion, this veal recipe with Swiss chard will surely impress. I invite you to try this delicious combination and delight your taste buds with intense and healthy flavors!