Swiss Chard Salad with Garlicky Yogurt

[Guest guest]

Swiss Chard Salad with Garlicky Yogurt

 

1 medium red bell pepper

2 pounds Swiss chard, leaves only, finely chopped

kosher salt

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

5 medium garlic cloves, minced

1 cup plain whole milk yogurt

1/4 cup tahini, at room temperature

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

 

Roast the red bell pepper directly over a gas flame or under a preheated

broiler, turning as needed, until charred all over. Transfer the pepper to a

bowl, cover and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel and seed the pepper, then cut it

into 1/4-inch dice.

Put the Swiss chard in a large colander set in the sink. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon

of salt over the chard and rub it into the leaves with your fingers. Let stand

for 1 minute, then rinse the chard and squeeze dry.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet. Add 2 of the minced

garlic cloves and cook over moderate heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add

the Swiss chard and cook, stirring, until tender, about 7 minutes. Add the

roasted red pepper and cook for 1 minute. Transfer the vegetables to a platter

and spread them in an even layer. Let cool.

In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt with the tahini, lemon juice and the remaining

3 minced garlic cloves. Season with salt. Spoon the yogurt sauce over the cooled

Swiss chard.

In a small skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the

crushed red pepper and cook over moderately high heat until the pepper begins to

sizzle, about 10 seconds. Pour the pepper oil over the yogurt sauce. Sprinkle

with the chopped parsley and serve.

Makes 6 servings.