Swiss Chard Salad with Feta, Apple, Almonds, and a Lemon Vinaigrette

It’s time to eat up those spring greens! What a better way to break away from your traditional house salad than to experiment with new, garden fresh greens as the weather unfolds.

Meet the competition. This gorgeous spring harvest has always presented a challenge for me, mostly because of their somewhat bitter taste. Unless prepared in a way that combats this strong flavor, it can turn many people off. One of my favorite salads to make uses shaved kale and brussel sprouts, and a massaging technique is used to infuse the greens with a little acid to help break down the toughness. For this chard salad, I used lemon and apple cider vinegar to break down the chard. While I usually dress the salad last, with this particular green, attacking the dressing right away gives the greens time to marinate and helps the flavor immensely.

Have fun with colors! Salads do NOT have to be boring! I’m just as guilty as the next person of the same old salad for lunch, five days a week. While this may be great from a nutritional standpoint (and convenience of the grocery list), half of the fun of eating should be done with the eyes! Aside from great complementary flavors, this salad is a perfect color palette for the plate. One of the beautiful parts of swiss chard is the amazing colors that the stems and veins provide. By using the stems throughout the salad, this becomes a work of art. Throw on some bright apple and a wedge of lemon and any Van Gogh loving house guest will be very impressed at this simplistic, tasty serving!

I love having this as a quick and easy lunch, but for times where a more hearty meal is preferred, I find this is great with a bit of crumbled salmon, a hard boiled egg, or sliced chicken to add some protein.

Have you tried this recipe?! Please share your thoughts!

Swiss Chard Salad with Feta, Apple, Almonds and a Lemon Vinaigrette

Hannah

A light way of eating this bold spring green, the chard is brightened up with a tangy lemon dressing and perfectly complemented with the sweet apple.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Kitchen knife
• Skillet

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 whole Juice of half a lemon Reserve remaining for a fresh squeeze and garnish
• 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tbsp Minced Shallot
• 1 bunch Fresh Chard, about 4 inch diameter bundle Stems and leaves
• 1 whole Apple
• 1/4 cup Almond Slivers
• 2 tsp Crumbled Feta

Instructions

 

• In mixing bowl, combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, shallots, and salt/pepper to taste.
• Cut leaves from washed chard, chopping into bite sized strips. Slice the stems in diagonal cuts, about 1/4 inch thick. Add to large mixing bowl and drizzle with the prepared dressing. Massage the dressing into the chard and let sit for a few minutes for the best flavor. This step can also be prepared the night before to let the greens marinate.
• In a skillet, toast almonds in a splash of oil until slightly browned. Once salad is plated, top with slices of apple, crumbled feta, almonds, and a wedge of lemon.

Keyword Chard, Fresh, Healthy, Keto, vegetarian