Sautéed Chard Ribbons with Caramelized Onions

1. Prepare Chard

First, wash the chard thoroughly to remove any dirt, and then drain it well. Once the chard is clean, pull the leaves away from the ribs. Trim the ends of the ribs and slice them thinly. Next, cut the leaves into wide ribbons.

2. Caramelize Onions

Heat the olive oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the diced onion, stirring occasionally, and cook until the onion is soft and beginning to caramelize, which should take about 5 minutes.

3. Cook Chard Ribs

Add the sliced chard ribs to the pan and continue cooking for another 3 minutes.

4. Add Chard Leaves

Now, add the chard leaves and a pinch of salt to the pan. Stir occasionally and cook until the leaves have wilted and are tender. If the pan becomes too dry, add a splash of water to keep everything moist.

5. Variation: Smoky Flavor

For a variation with a smoky flavor, use 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add 2 slices of bacon cut into 1-inch pieces to the pan first. Cook until the bacon starts to brown, then remove it and proceed with cooking the onions. Return the bacon to the pan when you add the chard.

6. Variation: Add Heat

If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the onions.