Swiss Chard Salad With Sesame Dressing

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 8 to 10 cups Swiss Chard - washed, dried and chopped

• 1/3 cup toasted, chopped walnuts

For the Dressing:

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 3 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds

• 2 tsp sesame oil or olive oil

• 2 tsp lemon juice or rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp water

• 1 tsp brown sugar

• red pepper flakes to taste

1. Using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, mash/grind 2 tablespoons of the toasted sesame seeds into a paste. In a small bowl, whisk together the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, oil, lemon juice, water, sugar and pepper flakes. Set aside.

2. Place the Swiss Chard in a large bowl and drizzle with the dressing. Toss to coat.

3. Top the salad with the toasted walnuts and some of the remaining toasted sesame seeds.

Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Notes&Tips:

• I love Swiss Chard; it is such a colorful leafy green and the leaves and stems are tender. During the warm months of July and August, we eat a lot of salads for lunch so I have to constantly find different flavors. This Swiss Chard Salad with Sesame Dressing is now one of our favorites. The dressing has a nice subtle sweet and tangy taste.

• Toasting the sesame seeds is a must as the flavor of the toasted sesame adds to overall umami of the dressing.

• I would suggest using low sodium soy sauce and seasoning with the amount of salt you'd like.