Algerian Swiss Chard Bestels Or Turnovers Recipes

ALGERIAN SWISS CHARD BESTELS, OR TURNOVERS

Steps:

• If the Swiss chard or spinach leaves are small, leave them whole. Otherwise, remove and discard the stems and rough-chop the green leaves. Blanch the leaves for 15 seconds in boiling, salted water. Drain completely, pressing to get rid of any excess water.
• Brown the pine nuts in a hot pan for a few minutes. Then mix the leaves with the hard- boiled eggs, the currants, and the pine nuts. Season with the curry, allspice, cinnamon, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Place a tablespoon of the stuffing in the center of each wrapper. Moisten the edges with water, fold into a triangle, and crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. Put all the turnovers on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to fry.
• Heat 2 inches of peanut or vegetable oil in a wok until it reaches about 375 degrees. Fry about five bestels at a time on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side, until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

CHEESY STOVE-TOP BARLEY AND SWISS CHARD

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet or braiser over medium-high. Add mushrooms and chard stems; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add barley and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until barley is tender and creamy, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Stir in chard leaves, Parmigiano, and lemon juice; cover and cook, stirring once, until chard is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season, top with Gruyère, cover, and heat until melted, 2 minutes. Serve with basil.

GRILLED SWISS-CHARD STEMS WITH ROASTED GARLIC OIL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Strip the chard leaves from the stems using a knife, scissors or simply your hands. Reserve the leaves for another use.
• Trim the bottom 1/8 inch of the chard stem, to remove the dry, discolored bit. Clean the stems by submerging in cold water and rinsing thoroughly.
• Aggressively season your boiling water with kosher salt.
• Working in batches, blanch the chard stems until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well, and let cool on a baker's rack or in a colander to continue draining.
• Grill blanched, dry chard stems evenly on both sides until charred and blistered here and there, like perfect pizza crust looks from a wood oven.
• Cut the stems into batons, and thoroughly dress the stems with roasted garlic oil (see recipe), a few drops of lemon juice and a few flakes of Maldon salt.

SWISS ALMOND CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Stir in the Swiss cheese, 1/3 cup almonds, mayonnaise, onions, pepper and nutmeg.
• Spoon onto a lightly greased pie plate.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 14-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Sprinkle with remaining almonds. Serve warm with crackers.