Ingredients
You will need (for two):
- 8-10 rashers smoked streaky bacon
- 1 head chard
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 250ml crème fraîche
- Salt and pepper
- 3 sheets fresh lasagne
- Small handful basil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Small handful Parmesan
Method
Start by cutting the bacon into small strips and put into a frying pan with a little oil. Get the bacon frying while you prepare the chard.
Strip the chard leaves away from the stalks and put in to two separate piles. Slice the chard stalks to roughly the same size as the bacon and shred the leaves.
When the bacon is turning golden brown add the chard stalks to the pan and fry for a few minutes until the stalks have softened. Crush in the garlic and then add the chard leaves. Fry for another minute or so until the leaves have started to wilt and then add the crème fraîche, plenty of pepper and a little salt. Keep cooking this, stirring occasionally, until you have a thick sauce.
While the sauce thickens get a pan of salted water on to boil.
Cut the lasagne sheets in to squares (you should get four squares from each) so you end up with twelve squares.
When the water is boiling add the squares of lasagne and cook for around three minutes or according to the packet. You want to add the lasagne in single layers so that they don’t stick together so you might need to do it in batches. Remove and keep warm when cooked.
Mash the basil in a pestle and mortar until it’s almost a paste then add some salt and pepper and drizzle in some olive oil until it’s about 50:50 basil to oil.
To assemble the dish put a square of lasagne on a plate then spoon the chard mix on top layering up and alternating between lasagne and chard. Finish by sprinkling over the Parmesan and basil oil.
Mark Willis says
That looks amazingly yummy! And very “cheffy” too, despite your comment that it is quick to make. We don’t have Chard often in our house – I love it but my wife hates it. She says it tastes “bitter”, though I can’t see why…
Re the swede – why not make a Cornish pasty? Or slice it thinly and cook it in a gratin with some potatoes and/or celeriac? I even love mashed boiled swede as long as it has loads of pepper on it.
Katherine - Real Food Runner says
what an interesting idea!
https://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
Elly McCausland says
That looks gorgeous! There are loads of great ways to cook Swiss chard if you own any of Ottolenghi’s books – he does great things with it, particularly an amazing split wheat, pomegranate molasses and chard stew in Jerusalem. But you’re right about always cooking some things the same way – I’m the same. Lovely recipe, really keen to try it!
Belinda says
Loving this – it’s so wonderfully plated.
Jacqueline @Howtobeagourmand says
Really creative and inspired recipe Caroline – a little touch of genious with the basil oil.
Medeja says
Using chard in lasagna sounds unusual for me 🙂 But lasagna is such thing that you can combine things and get a delicious result!
Nicole Waterman says
This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it. Fab photos too. 🙂
Nicole
https://www.missfridaysfeast.blogspot.co.uk
Andrea Mynard says
This looks delicious and as it appears that if there’s pasta and parmesan involved, my 5 year old daughter forgets her aversion to greens, I reckon I’ll be giving this a try. I bet the bacon is fab with it too. Just had mashed swede with dinner – mashed and with bits of crispy bacon sprinkled over, so if you have any bacon left …
J@feasttotheworld says
That looks delicious! I love chard and I like to treat it like water spinach, stir-fried with a spicy sambal sauce consist of chilli, garlic and the pungent shrimp paste. YUM!
Nava Krishnan says
Nice, I think which veg that chard is after looking at the pictures. The outcome is good, adore the creamy touch and wonderful flavors.
Liz Berg says
Mmmmm…bacon and greens are such yummy additions to lasagna! And so pretty made individually~
Ashley Bee says
I’m a big fan of swiss chard, AND veggies in lasagna 🙂
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NET-A-DRESSER says
Oh that looks so yummy!! xx
Cass @foodmyfriend says
I LOVE open lasagne. This looks so incredible. I think if I took out the meat, it would still be amazing.
Velva says
Very nice way to enjoy chard! I only recently discovered chard when I realized it grows very well in the North Florida garden. Now, I am always looking for ways to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing.
Velva
Juliana says
Beautiful presentation Caroline….I had open lasagna before in restaurants but never thought in making it at home…thanks for the recipe.
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
betsyb says
Well now, I was just wondering what to do with all the remaining chard in my garden and this dish looks like a perfect way to use it! I have pancetta, too, so what great timing this is. Thank you!
Beth says
One of the things I love best about food blogging is seeing what other people make. It helps me get out of my rut so much! Great idea with the chard.
Natalie G says
Yum this looks like a great lasagna recipe, perfect for the spring 🙂
Angie Schneider says
Chard in lasagne…I adore the healthy idea and it looks absolutely delicious.
grace says
characterless chard! say it ain’t so! i actually don’t eat a lot of the stuff, but i’m not sure i’ve seen it used in such an appetizing way–great dish!
Jenn Kendall says
what a brilliant way to use chard! it really is a gorgeous dish, and sounds insanely delicious!
Christian Halfmann says
That looks really delicious. It should give me some ideas for eating soon …
Lisa says
WOW..this lasagna looks positively dreamy! The way you plated it is the way lasagna is usually plated at 5-star restaurants..and this lasagna definitely belongs in a 5-star restaurant! I can almost taste the smoked bacon, chard and basil oil as I type this. Amazing creation, Caroline!
Amy says
This is such a beautiful dish. What a great way to change things up with your favorite ingredient. 🙂 I say these are way better than just stir fry or steam chard!
Rebecca says
Wow this looks incredible I can’t wait to try and make this!! Great blog xx
https://thiswomansstyle.com/
Hannah@HomeBaked says
This looks amazing!
I get a glut of courgettes every year but I’ve never made a fritter, although I relate to what you’re saying. It’s funny how we sometimes pick a single use for things that are actually really versatile.