SWISS CHARD WITH INDIAN LIME PICKLE

Swiss Chard with Indian Lime Pickle image

Yield Makes 4 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/8 cup mild lime pickle (an Indian condiment found at gourmet or Indian food stores or online at EthnicGrocer.com)
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp salt
2 bunches Swiss chard, stems and tough central spines removed
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 small shallot, minced
1 tsp lemon zest, grated on small or medium blade

Steps:

In a blender, combine lime pickle, lemon juice, and oil and puree until smooth, adding water as necessary to create a liquid. Set aside. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add 1 tbsp salt. Prepare an ice bath (a large bowl of ice water with 1 tbsp salt). Add chard to the pot and boil until bright green and very tender (9 to 12 minutes). Drain chard in a colander, submerge briefly in the ice bath to stop cooking, drain again in colander and squeeze to release most of the water. Set aside. Heat butter in a large sauté pan on medium heat. When butter is melted, add shallot, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, cover, reduce heat to low and sauté until shallot is translucent, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chard, lime-pickle puree, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix vigorously. Serve warm.