This quick stew was fine, nothing special, but fine. It’s centred around swiss chard and chickpeas, with a bit of tomato, onion, garlic, and lemon juice. It was a bit bland, and the flavours never really came together. The fibrous swiss chard and grainy chickpeas didn’t make for the most appealing texture either. On the other hand it was a heathly and simple side dish.
I think this was a case of great things being inappropriately combined. Sauteed swiss chard with a bit of onion garlic and lemon is an excellent summery vegetable dish. Simiarly a simple chick pea salad with those ingredients is a satisfying dish any time. Put them together and add tomato, and you get something less than the sum of it’s parts. I don’t think tomato would be particularly good with the chard or the chickpeas alone, and it didn’t really add much to the stew.
On the plus side the ingredients were easily available, there was almost no effort involved in making it, it’s cheap, and it feels healthy. Unfortunately “tastes really healthy” is the food equivalent of “has a great personality”.
6 replies on “37. Swiss Chard and Chickpeas p.542”
I love the feeling that I’m acquiring more nutrients for my body-machine. I feel like I’m slowly building in power.
Bitter greens (or any greens for that matter) get a bad rap. I rather enjoyed this one and was pleased to partake of a “book dinner” that wasn’t enveloped in puff pastry or basted in duck fat. (not that those don’t have their place in the sun)
Communist!
I’ll accept that label with pride. Takes one to know one. Wait, were you referring to me or Marc?
I’m referring to the communist who hates puppies, giggling children and sunsets. Animal!
I accidentally deleted a comment. Here it is, with apologies Timmy
Comment on 37. Swiss Chard and Chickpeas p.542 by Timmy
Thu, May 10 2007 1:07 AM by Timmy
KC, I liked the tone of this entry. Comparing your dish to ugly women was pure genius.