Savory Chard and Breadcrumb Bake

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Chard

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash the chard thoroughly and remove the stems, but save half the stems and slice them thinly.

2. Boil Chard

Bring a pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the chard stems and cook them for about 2 minutes. Then, add the chard leaves and boil for another 3 minutes. Drain everything well and let it cool slightly. Once the chard is cool enough to handle, squeeze out any excess liquid and chop it coarsely.

3. Toast Breadcrumbs

Toss the fresh breadcrumbs with 2 teaspoons of melted butter and spread them out on a baking sheet. Toast them in the oven for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown.

4. Cook Onions and Chard

While the breadcrumbs are toasting, melt 1.5 tablespoons of butter in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and sweet. Stir in the chard and a pinch of salt, cooking for another 3 minutes until everything is well mixed.

5. Make the Creamy Mixture

Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of flour over the chard mixture and stir well to combine. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously to ensure the mixture thickens evenly. Grate a bit of nutmeg over the top and continue to cook for about 5 minutes. The chard should be moist but not runny, so adjust the amount of milk if necessary.

6. Assemble and Bake

Butter a small baking dish generously and spread the chard mixture evenly in the dish. Dot the top with 2 teaspoons of butter and sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over everything. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, savory dish!