What's for Dinner? Wednesday: Swiss Chard and Spinach Tart for Your Sweetheart!

Happy What's for Dinner? Wednesday! Last week my husband asked if I could please find a recipe that used Swiss chard.  It might sound like a weird husband recipe request, but his leafy green veggie is one of the last survivors of our balcony garden.  In response to his request, I found a recipe on Eating Well for a Swiss Chard tart and adapted it slightly to make it more healthy.  The result is the vegetarian-friendly recipe for Swiss Chard and Spinach Tart for Your Sweetheart that I'm sharing with you today!

Ready to make your own tart? Here are the ingredients you'll need:

Crust:

• 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp thyme

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 teaspoon pepper

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon cold water

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Filling: 

• 4 cups chopped Swiss chard

• 4 cups baby spinach

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 1/3 cup crumbled fat free feta cheese

How to Make Your Dinner Tart for Your Sweetheart:

Step One: Make your crust.  Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees.  Then gather your crust ingredients.  In a bowl mix together your flours, thyme, salt, and pepper. Once these dry ingredients are mixed, you're ready to add in the wet ones. Continue to stir all of your crust ingredients together until you form a mix of dough consistency.  Knead your dough into a ball and then place it in the freezer for 5 minutes so it's easier to work with.  

Step Two: While your dough is enjoying it's cool-off period, organize your filling ingredients. Separate the stems of your Swiss chard from the leaves and chop up the greens from the chard and your spinach.   Mince your garlic and zest your lemon. Measure out your ricotta and feta cheeses.  

Step Three: By now your crust should be ready to roll out.  Use a rolling pin to make the crust thin enough to fit in a 9 x 9 inch pan and have enough extra length to cover the sides of the pan.  Then spray your tart pan with cooking spray and press the dough so it fits along the bottom and sides of the pan. Pop your pan in your preheated oven and keep it cooking unit the crust is firm and lightly brown (about 20 mins).  

Step Four: Finish up your filling! Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and allow it to warm up to medium heat.  Add your chard stems and cook them until they are tender (about 2 mins will do).  Next, add your garlic and mix it in with the chard stems for about 15 seconds before you add the rest of your green leaves.  Add the spinach and chopped chard along with 2 tablespoons of water to your skillet and continuing cooking for 3 mins so that the leaves are tender.  When you're done, drain out the water from your greens.

Step Five: While your greens dry out a little, combine the remaining filling ingredients.  Whisk together your 2 eggs, cheeses, lemon zest, and a pinch of pepper in a large bowl.  Then add your greens to the mix.  By now your crust should be done cooking.  Pour your filling into the crust and bake the tart until it is lightly browned (about 30 mins). 

Step Six: Serve up your Swiss Chard and Spinach to your Sweetheart! It goes great over a bed of greens.

Are you going to try this recipe? Have you ever had your husband ask you to cook with an ingredient you never thought he cared about? Share your thoughts below.  To see the recipe when it's finished, don't forget to stop back by tonight!