SWISS CHARD GRATIN

• SWISS CHARD GRATIN
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• 3 large bunches Swiss chard, leaves and stems separated and chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large shallot, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1 pinch freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 1 cup (4 oz.) grated Havarti or Muenster cheese
• 1 1/2 cups torn white bread (with crust)
• Salt and pepper
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1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees . In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the chard stems until crisp-tender, 4 minutes. Add the leaves; cook until wilted, 5 to 10 seconds. Drain; let cool. Squeeze out excess liquid; transfer to a shallow 2-qt. baking dish, separating clumps.
2. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 tbsp. butter over medium. Add the shallot; cook, stirring, until soft, 2 minutes. Add the cream and nutmeg; stir until mixture starts to boil. Add all but 2 tbsp. cheese. Stir until melted; pour over the chard.
3. In a saucepan, melt the remaining 1 1/2 tbsp. butter. In a bowl, toss the bread and butter; season. Scatter the bread and remaining cheese over the chard. Bake 20 minutes.