**This giveaway is now closed.
There are few things I enjoy more than spending an afternoon cuddled up with:
A: A warm body I love (Smudge, G Dawg or one of the pups all take first place),
B: Either my iPad loaded with new online mags to scroll through or a fresh batch of my favorite print titles to savor,
OR
C: A new cookbook to glean tasty inspiration from.
Lucky me, I have exactly three of those reasons to make a fresh iced coffee, kick off my shoes, and steal away for some “me” time but this time it’s with the debut cookbook from one of the web’s most popular food bloggers, Lori of Recipe Girl, appropriately titled The Recipe Girl Cookbook. Well said Lori.
Lori was one of the first food bloggers I discovered after being introduced to her blog by a friend of a friend. I had just started FoodieCrush and after blogging for a just a few months I boldly asked Lori if I could interview her. She was probably wondering what she got herself into, but graciously said yes to this newbie.
I got to know her a lot better on a blogger’s trip to visit Harry & David, and in person realized this girl not only knows food, but she’s generous and creative, offering advice when asked and encouraging others to reach their goals. Plus she likes a nice glass of wine. I can totally get down with a gal like that.
So when Lori asked me to take a look at her new cookbook, and cook and eat and share one of her recipes, it wasn’t hard to respond with an “Absolutely!” Send over the echo-sign, I’m in.
Lori paired my post with one from Amanda, who chose to make Lori’s Cheese Ravioli with Brown Butter & Fresh Tomato Sauce. My plan was to choose a side dish that would work with her choice, creating a complete—and simple—dinner. Oh but which recipe was would it be?
I had the toughest time narrowing down my recipe creation choices, maybe because there are 195 of them.
Avocado and Pine Nut Salad (oh, what a perfect combo), Gorgonzola Smashed Potatoes (it’s not like I’d be caught without a fridge full of cheese so I had all the ingredients) or Cheese and Herb Beer Bread (my idea of two essential ingredients joined in perfect union.)
But my daring pairing skills took over and I finally decided Garlicky Swiss Chard with Chickpeas would be the perfect mate to the Cheese Ravioli.
Luckily spring has produced some gorgeous ribs of Rainbow Swiss Chard that are populating one of my go-to grocery stores. Okay, you might be thinking, ew, swiss chard. What even is that? Hippie dippie food? No, it isn’t hippie dippie food, it’s delicious. And a veggie you really need to incorporate into your diet thanks to it’s many, many health benefits that offset our love of cheese and butter. It’s all about balance people. And I think it might be one of my recently acquired and newly coveted veggies crushes.
A few notes about the recipe:
1. Follow Lori’s advice on the ingredient list and do not halve this recipe. It seems like a TON, literally a TON, of swiss chard, but like spinach, it cooks down a bunch, so if you’re serving for a crowd, plan accordingly.
2. There’s plenty of room for interpretation here by switching up the noted ingredients for what you have on hand, just like Faith did in her Recipe Girl Cookbook Review. You can always sub out kale or spinach for the swiss chard, parmesan or goat cheese for the feta cheese and regular onion for the shallot (which I had to go back to the store to get since I was out!) Be adventurous and play a little people.
3. While this recipe lives in the “sides” section of the cookbook, I totally ate the entire thing for lunch. It was that good.
If you try this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Garlicky Swiss Chard and Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 2 bunches Swiss chard center stems cut out and discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 medium shallots finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)6 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 15.5 ounce can garbanzo beans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
Instructions
-
In a larges skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add half of hte chard and cook, 1 to 2 minutes. When the first half has wilted, add the remaining chard. When all of the chard is wilted, add the chicken broth. Cover the skillet and cook the chard until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the chard through a fine sieve (strainer) and set it aside.
-
Wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until they are softened, about 2 minutes. Add the chard and chickpeas and cook until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle the lemon juice over the mixture and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle cheese on top just before serving, if desired.
Recipe Notes
recipe from The Recipe Girl Cookbook
Being a bit of a print junkie who happens to make online magazines because I can’t afford to print it, the first thing I noticed when I handled the The Recipe Girl Cookbook was the delicious cover stock. It has a velvet feel that is so soft to the touch it just begs to be opened. Okay, will do.
After a few drool marks skirted the pages thanks to lush pics by another fave food blogger/cum photographer Matt Armendariaz (who I interviewed here) I noticed each of the recipes has an icon noting it to be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or a web favorite. Thanks for that awesome idea I may borrow for upcoming eBooks. Mwah.
The recipes are unique enough for skilled home cooks, but easy enough for the novice to pull off and just about each recipe features a ‘Change It Up’ idea suggesting how to get creative and use Lori’s recipes as a baseline to create your own interpretation. As a winger, I totally get that.
Congratulations on your new cookbook Lori, I’m betting it will leave plenty of people happy and belly-full.
Lori and KitchenAid want you to enjoy the book at home with a new blender to boot. One winner will win a copy of The Recipe Girl Cookbook and a 12-Speed KitchenAid Blender in your color choice. I of course like orange, but you get your pick. Please read the complete rules found on the widget. Valid for U.S. residents only.
Good luck!
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Brianna says
Great post!! Can’t wait to try this recipe and just added Recipe Girl to my Google Reader! My newest veggie discovery is spaghetti squash. I’m not sure how I’ve gone this long without knowing about this vegetable. It’s such a healthy and substantial substitute for pasta!
Janet says
Cabbage. I have been making it different ways and it really is good.
Elizabeth G. says
Spaghetti squash! I love it!
Melissa B says
Brussels sprouts, made in different ways
Sheila says
I’m a little late to join the kale bandwagon, but I’ve been trying to incorporate that into more recipes. Swiss chard seems like a natural next step!
Teresa says
Fennel- baked!
Denise Wilson says
kale!
Shawn says
We grew Swiss Chard last summer and I ate SO much of it, I haven’t been able to think of eating it again…..until I saw this recipe! Looks similar to one I make with Kale and just might win me back over to Swiss Chard again :) Thanks for the opportunity!
Penny @ From Harvest To Table says
This books sounds right up my ally! I love all veggies, but I think that kale is my favorite.
Karen Lynch says
We are doing our second year in a community garden, I received a free package of Swiss chard. Will have to give this a try if we are successful.
Elizabeth says
I would say my newest one was acorn squash and I absolutely loved it!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This looks awesome! My newest veggie discovery is collard greens used as wraps!
Tieghan says
Congrats to Lori! I am so excited to start cooking from this book!! This swiss chard looks so good!!
Alyssa says
Kale!!! I like making kale “chips”
Erin says
Not really a new veggie but I love whipped cauliflower
Corisa says
kale!
Kalyn says
Oh yes, this is totally my kind of recipe.
Sarah says
Thanks for such a beautiful post – your pictures are inspiring. Thinking of adding a few more rows of leafy greens to my garden now!
[email protected] says
My newest veggie discovery are leeks. I love them! This year I am using them more and more in my cooking.
Dana says
I didn’t just discover cauliflower but I’ve been loving on it in different preparations
Jacqui says
I know I’m late to the game… but a few months ago I had kale for the first time! Unfortunately, I’m not a huge fan of it :-( A little too bitter for me!
Beth K says
Jacqui – if you find dark greens a bit too bitter, try adding just a bit of brown sugar when you cook them. Don’t use enough to make them sweet, just a tiny bit to offset the bitterness. I got that tip from an old Southern Lady many years ago and it’s something I use for kale, collards, mustard greens, etc. Of course, you could always substitute Swiss chard or beet stems & greens for a milder taste.
Lynda M. says
I’m into asparagus lately :)
Laura in Texas says
It’s not a vegetable, but I discovered Yuzu fruit in December and have been hooked on it since! I love Swiss chard, but right now the garden is full of kale and spinach which would work so nice in this recipe. I may have to try it since I plan to make the ravioli recipe tonight!
Rena says
just tried kale for the first time this week was yummy!
Michelle says
Swiss chard is great to grow in the garden because it just keeps re-growing whenever you pluck a bunch to eat. It seems to grow faster than spinach too – at least mine does :)
Stacey says
Parsnips.
Marsha says
I think my newest would be kale.
Pamela L. says
My newest veggie find is edamame. I love the bright color that makes every dish I add them to seem fresh.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
This is stunning. Great interview, too. The book sounds great!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Mmmm…love Swiss chard. This looks so beautiful and light and fresh. Cheers to Lori’s new cookbook! :)
Tracy says
I’ve been adding veggies to my garden that I’ve eaten for many years but had never thought to try to grow. Broccoli raab and baby bok choy grow as well as kale and chard in my garden, it turns out, and this year I’m trying red kuri squash (I’ve never grown winter squash before) and Good Mother Stallard beans alongside the summer squashes and pole beans I usually grow.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Newest veggie discovery. . leeks! LOVE! and wow, love this swiss chard recipe!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Yum! Simple and stunning. I love Lori’s recipes because they are easy, crowd-pleasing, and still look complex and like they took a long time to make. Beautiful photographs as always!
Sunnie says
I just started eating Kale, and I like it!
Janelle says
I don’t think I have a recent veggie “discovery,” but I’m kind-of into the mini sweet bell peppers right now, instead of full sized red ones.
Peggy says
So true. Honesty and everything regdcnizeo.
Cristina says
Love fresh fennel!
Tiffany says
I’ve rediscovered broccoli – I forgot how wonderful and versatile it is!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
You know I have never had swiss chard, but I adore chickpeas. This looks so healthy and delicious. I can’t wait to get her cookbook!
Becky @ Project Domestication says
I’ve been getting into sorrel lately. More of an herb right? But the way I’ve been eating it, it’s like a green.
This cookbook looks great.
Catie says
Jicama! My new obsession!
libby says
I am going to make this recipe, have never had swiss chard or chickpeas, so two new tastes at one time!!!
Donna says
We grow chard in our garden every summer – MUST try this!
Lauren says
Asparagus!!
Melissa M. says
I’ve been trying out kale.
Leah says
My newest discovered vegetable is eggplant!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Beautiful dish! Love the Swiss chard and chickpeas together!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
Kale…I am just discovering how savory it can be!
Kamberley says
Wowza, problem solved like it never hadepnep.
Shari says
It’s not really a new vegetable discovery, but more of a discovery of a new way to eat a vegetable we already love… I steam brussel sprouts, then finish them off by sauteing them in a little butter, lemon juice and fresh cracked pepper. Oh yum!!
Kim Porter says
Kale…I’ve become addicted to this power food!
Shelly says
Definitely kale!
Isabel says
My newest discovery is kale!
JulieW says
I’m not much for the bitter greens, but I could totally see doing this with spinich. Sounds yummy!
Heidi Babi says
My newest veggie discovery is arugula. Can’t get enough of that lately.
Nina says
I discovered jicama this year, and I love it on salads or just as a snack!
Emily S. says
Definitely broccoli rabe is the newest vegetable that I like.
Julie says
I just started using shallots. I always used onions instead, but now know what I was missing!
Kristina says
Fennel bulb! I can’t believe I lived this long without trying it.
Diana says
Kale! I love adding it to soup!
Anne B says
Brussels sprouts – I’ve always liked them but now there are so many new ways to fix them!
Leanne T says
Beets and Kale, I have been making some wonderful salads, sides and juices with these two veggies!
Kim N. says
My newest veggie discovery is spaghetti squash.
Kristen C says
Okay, I haven’t had swiss chard in years and I just remember it being bitter…but you actually have me wanting to pick up some from the farmers market. It looks that yummy! Hmm…my newest veggies discovery. Brussel sprouts. Yummy!
Sheri B. says
My newest veggie discovery is scrumptious orange sweet peppers!
Sheri B. says
My newest veggie discovery is scrumptious, sweet orange peppers!
Kim says
I recently had artichoke leaves and absolutely loved them! I never knew how to eat them (sill dont know how to cook them) but now I’m hooked!
Jessica says
Kale! So delish!
Urban Wife says
My newest discovery are shallots – they are amazing and I wanna put ’em in everything. :)
Krystina says
Thanks for doing this giveaway! I LOVE to cook and would absolutely love winning this cookbook and blender!! :)
heidi says
Hi Krystina, so glad you’ve entered, best of luck!
Tracy says
Roasted cauliflower. I can’t get enough of it.
Jennifer Grimm says
My newest veggie love is grilled corn
Jennay says
Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Aspargus!!
Jessica Dawson says
squash blossoms! (does that count as a veggie…?)
Julianne says
Asparagus!!
Natalie S says
I recently discovered kohlrabi!
Denise Fedor says
Kale. It grows well here, now I have to learn what to make with it!
heidi says
Hi Denise, give these 20 kale recipes a try, lots if great options to pique your tastebuds.
Abby says
We’ve been eating cauliflower by the bucket-load. Using it for all kinds of things these days like sauces and stir-fry.
Chelsea says
I’m trying beets!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love chickpeas, yum!
natalie @ wee eats says
kale! (I know i’m late to the game on that one, sorry..)
Maria in NJ says
just had swiss chard fro the first time, and wasn’t a fan…
heidi says
Here are 20 kale recipes to try https://www.foodiecrush.com/2013/04/garlicky-swiss-chard-and-chickpeas/
Aliza says
I’ve just come across edamame. I know, how weird that I’ve never had it before!
Becky says
I’ve been trying to put more vegetable purees in main dishes and also do kale or spinach in my smoothies. Thanks for the chance to win!
Michelle B says
I LOVE veggies. All veggies. I don’t know what is new to me!…BUT I have just started trying to roast my own chickpeas to create a crunchy snack. Still needs some work :)
Linda Hayes says
My daughter recently made a delicious soup using boy choy. Loved it. Can’t wait until our Farmer’s Market opens next week. Good stuff a’coming.
Dianne says
Looking for ways to add more veggies to our meals. This looks yummy!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Newest Veggie Discovery, hmmm, I would have to say fennel. That is a veggie, right?
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says
Ohhhhh I want a big bowl of those greens right now! Garlic, chard, chickpeas, feta….too good to be true!
Rachel says
Like everyone and their mother, I’m finally discovering kale!
endwillnev says
I’m just starting to use kale and chickpeas!
Lisa Huffman says
Newest veggie is probably eggplant… never liked it before, but then I learned to sweat it before using, and now I can’t get enough!
Jennifer C. says
I recently discovered how delicious beets can be.
Katie says
I have finally tried Kale and loved it!
Carolyn says
Chayote squash!
Allison (Spontaneous Tomato) says
My newest discovery is fennel. I’d never cooked with it until last year when it showed up in my CSA share.
Jen P says
Kale, loving it!
MaryB says
Collards are new to us and yummy!
ashley says
this is a great giveaway – thank you!
alicia k says
kale – really loving it!
ElizabethB says
I like shallots!!
Melinda @cookingalamel says
raw brussels sprouts! they make the best salads.
Ashley P says
Our most recent is spaghetti squash. Still trying to figure it out :)
Laura Rhinehart says
I am going to attempt to create a tiny raised bed garden for my apartment balcony and grow some kale and spinach along with other tasty veggies!
Maria says
Um, I guess I discovered that oven-baked carrots are delicious! Thanks to Picky Palate for that one!
Shawna says
I’m still looking for that new something. I’m open for any suggestions.
heidi says
I must confess, my husband roasted Brussels sprouts last night and for once I actually liked them after YEARS of not.
Jessica says
My new favorite vegetable is spaghetti squash! I eat it with everything.
Linda K. says
Kale.
Jennifer says
Definitely loving spaghetti sqush!
Jenn @ Once Upon a Tier says
I love almost all kinds of vegetables, but the most recent “discovery” was probably okra. I used to hate it, but now I really like it!
dishing up the dirt says
I love this recipe! We are planting a lot of chard at our farm this year and easy recipes like this are right up my alley!
Sarah says
Brussel sprouts are def new for me.
Carla says
Zucchini! It’s actually more of a re-discovery than a discovery. I had forgotten how wonderful and versatile it is.
Karen says
Looks yummy!
sara says
purple artichokes!
Heather says
Chinese spinach. Love the Asian markets!
Carolsue says
I just discovered Kale. Never tried to before and I love it!
susan says
I recently discovered kale
Janice says
Parsnips are my newest favorite veggie!
Millie says
Escarole! I’d never even heard of it until a few days ago, and it’s a bit bitter yet still so good.
Jeanette B says
Kale is my newest veggie discovery…….. we just tried Kale chips, yum!!
Kristin says
spaghetti squash
Karen D says
My newest veggie discovery is fingerling potatoes
Amy J says
Spinach…although I wouldn’t say it’s a new discovery exactly (I’ve eaten it here and there for years), but I have discovered that eating a gigantic spinach salad (with cucumbers, carrots, whatever I have on hand) EVERYDAY really helps my body to feel good. I have some foot aches/pains (possibly arthritis, or from an injury I had) and as long as I eat my spinach every day, I feel fantastic and pain free!
Cindy Brickley says
Blue potatoes and yellow and purple cauliflower.
Maisk says
Anything with a garbanzo bean, I’m in! Love your blog and recipe girl too!
Rachel says
kabocha squash
Leann Lindeman says
Nothing “new” but we are loving the spring asparagus right now.
Joy T. says
Beets!!! I knew I liked beet greens, but I didn’t realize I love beet roots!
Amanda Thompson says
Seems kinda silly, but Rainbow Carrots!
PoopseyMarie says
My latest veggie discovery? Hmmm… It would have to be the Rainbow Chard. Okay, you can stop laughing now! But really, I tried it and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised!
Kristen M says
I’m a fairly new convert to Swiss Chard. I’d never had it until recently joining a CSA. Now I crave it and even grow it in my backyard garden.
TaraO says
I just had roasted beets for the first time ever. . .
Lethea B says
I’m enjoying carrots and finding new ways to serve them=)
Debbie says
My newest vegetable discovery while walking through the produce market is “broccoli rabe”, but I have yet to try. I like broccoli,so I wondering it can’t taste too much different, or can it?
Carolyn says
Recently, I’m definitely loving cauliflower.
Sweet as Sugar Cookies says
My newest veggie discovery is sauteed asparagus with lemon.
Meghan Finley says
I love broccolini!
Jackie says
I’m trying to become a kale-eating person. I need more green leafies in my diet. :)
Danyelle says
Not really a discovery but I’m learning how to use zucchini for more than just bread!
Stephanie H says
Going through an asparagus phase!
malerie c says
sunchoke, sooo yummy
Janet Bridge says
You had me at Garlic!! xo
charj says
My newest veggie discovery is komatsuna
Shannon C says
just bought my first ever bag of fiddlehead ferns! wish me luck!
Charlotte says
Pineapple tomatillo; sweet for jams but still has a savory tartness!
Kimberly says
My newest vegetable discovery was this CRAZY looking purple thing that the market I go to had labeled as “salad savory”, but that I’d never seen before and no one there had ever seen either. I ended up putting it all into smoothies, so I never got to taste it really…but next time I see it I’ll get it again and taste it this time!
Dawn L says
My newest veggie I love is celery root and fennel they are both delicious and I can’t decide on one.
Aubrey P says
So excited to find your site! Great giveaway!
CobyG says
Jerusalem Artichokes!
Catherine O says
My favorites right now are kale, avocado, and artichokes!
Cassie says
I’m really getting big into beets! I didn’t always like them but do lately.
Jen S. says
My newest veggie discovery: Pea shoots!
Anne says
Kohlrabi. I was surprised and pleased the one and only time I cooked it, and I’m looking forward to getting it again at the farmer’s market this year.
Denise O says
Oven roasted asparagus…OMG….YUM!!
Carin says
Looks great! I’ll try it tonight!
suzanne says
I made this recipe exactly as written, except 1 cup veggie broth and 1 cup of water, and it was delicious!! We also grilled some fish and it was a fabulous dinner! My husband loved it too! I’ve been following recipe girl for quite some time, but this got me really excited about her cookbook.
heidi says
So glad you made the dish and put your own spin on it. The cookbook is FULL of more great tastes. Good luck on the giveaway!
LB says
Asparagus… not anywhere near as bad as I thought! I really want to try kale.
jana ellis says
Just discovered your blog….what fun!!! Thanks for doing the give-away. The book sounds great
And I would love a kitchen aide blender.
jo says
I tried kale for the first time the other day. I think I would have liked it more without the vinegar and with more garlic.
Caitlyn says
Asparagus! I used to hate it but now I am in LOVE.
Amy says
I have recently started cooking more with kale.
Elizabeth says
Late to the game… BUT I just discovered I like raw string beans for a snack!
Kat F. says
I recently discovered how yummy kale can be.
Ann W says
discovered leeks and looking forward to learning more ways to cook with them. So far made a side dish called creamy leeks. Very good.
jackie says
Not a new discovery for me, but my toddler recently discovered mushrooms. She is obsessed. :)
Wehaf says
Ramps! They’re delicious!
Rama A says
Yummm! Arugula ! it is amazing . i put it in salad in almost every meal i have
Ellie @ Ginger Bear Kitchen says
I love beets and have recently discovered using beet greens as the base of my salads. I love a beet green salad topped with roasted beets and quinoa.
jjmcgaffey says
Cauliflower as a starch replacement. I’ve eaten it raw and under cheese for years, but treating it as a replacement for mashed potatoes was a new idea – and yummy!
valerie says
kohlrabi, and it’s wonderful!
Cathy says
I’ve been using cauliflower in everything lately!
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Lori says
I made this recipe tonight. It is the bomb-digidy! I WILL make it again. I made no substitutions. It’s December in Kentucky and I still have Rainbow Chard and Kale in my garden! I’m so happy!
Meghan says
I will be making this and commenting because it sounds amazing, but because you and I seem to be food soul sisters with a shared love of cookbooks, you need to find the “Chubby vegetarian” cookbook by Justin fox Burks & Amy Lawrence. Oh my goodness!
Badan says
This recipe look so fresh and tasty. i will try this, thanks Heidi for share this recipe
Gemuk Badan says
Hi, I Am Gemuk From Indonesia, Wow It’s Look Very Healthy, I can Try This Recipe On My Diet Food, Thanks a Lot Heidi
nancy says
Made this last night and it was so good! Will make again for sure but planning to double the recipe so its enough for a dinner for two people. I didn’t see this was a ‘side’ so there wasn’t enough for 2 people as a main meal.
heidi says
So glad you enjoyed the salad Nancy! Looks like I better add that this is a side! I like your idea of making it into a main! Go veg!