April can be a lean month for home growers. Last year’s stores are running low, and the new season’s crops are still weeks away. It’s what gardeners call the “hungry gap” — but if you’ve got chard in the ground, you’re in luck.
Chard is a brilliant grow-your-own vegetable because it keeps producing right through the colder months and into spring, giving you fresh greens exactly when little else is ready to pick. If you sowed it the previous winter, by April the leaves are usually in great shape and ready to harvest.
Chard can seem a little unfamiliar if you haven’t cooked with it before, but it’s actually very simple once you know the basic method. The key thing to remember: don’t throw away the stalks. They’re just as good to eat as the leaves and add a lovely bit of texture to the dish.
This simple cooked chard recipe serves 4 as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 450g chard
- Extra virgin olive oil
- A handful of freshly chopped herbs (rosemary, marjoram or tarragon all work well)
How to Make Simple Cooked Chard
1. Wash the chard carefully and drain well.
2. Separate the stalks from the leaves. Cut the stalks into pieces about 5cm long, and roughly chop the leaves.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add the stalks first and cook for 3–4 minutes.
4. Add the leaves to the same pot and cook for a further 2–3 minutes, until wilted.
5. Drain well, then toss with a little olive oil and the chopped herbs. Season to taste and serve.
Tips for Cooking Chard
- Cooking the stalks first gives them a head start, since they take a little longer to soften than the leaves.
- A drizzle of good olive oil is all this dish needs — let the chard’s flavour do the talking.
- Leftover cooked chard keeps well in the fridge for a day or two and reheats nicely stirred through pasta or served alongside eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to peel or trim the chard stalks?
No peeling needed — just trim off the very base of the stalk where it’s tough, then chop the rest into short lengths as in the recipe.
Can I use rainbow chard instead of regular chard?
Yes, rainbow chard cooks the same way and works just as well in this recipe — it just adds a bit of colour to the plate.
Is chard a good vegetable to get kids growing or trying?
Chard is a popular choice for family veg patches because it’s easy to grow and keeps producing for months, which makes it a satisfying one for children to watch and help pick.
What can I serve simple cooked chard with?
It works well as a simple side dish alongside roast chicken, grilled fish, or stirred through pasta or a risotto.
Related Articles
- Seasonal Veg: What to Grow and Cook This Month
- Easy Family Recipes Using Garden Vegetables
- Getting Kids Involved in Growing Their Own Food
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