Garlic Creamed Chard

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/garlic_creamed_chard.html

From EatingWell:  December 2006

Our lightened, garlic-infused cream sauce is perfect with tender chard. Try this creamy dish alongside broiled New York strip steak.

4 servings, about 2/3 cup each | Active Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound chard, stems and leaves separated, chopped (see Note)
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 4 teaspoons unsalted butter
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup low-fat milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chard stems and cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chard leaves and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Cover and cook, stirring once, until tender, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a colander placed in the sink and press with a wooden spoon to remove excess liquid. Return the chard to the pot, cover and keep warm.
2. Place garlic and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook until bubbling, about 30 seconds. Add milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg; cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir the chard into the sauce and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Per serving : 141 Calories; 9 g Fat; 4 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 13 mg Cholesterol; 10 g Carbohydrates; 4 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 369 mg Sodium; 625 mg Potassium

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat

Tips & Notes

• Note: After washing the chard for these recipes, allow some of the water to cling to the leaves. It helps steam the chard and prevents a dry finished dish.