Pasta with Swiss Chard

Ingredients and Weight:

• 250g dry pasta
• 500g Swiss chard, roughly chopped
• 200g ground chicken or pork
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Parmesan cheese, shaved or shredded (optional)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 20-25 minutes
• Total: 35-40 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. Salt the water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add the ground meat. Cook until no longer red.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two.
4. Add the chopped Swiss chard and cook until the chard starts to wilt.
5. Once the pasta water is boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions.
6. When the pasta is almost done, add the chicken broth or vegetable broth to the skillet and let it reduce a bit.
7. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet, mixing well with the meat and chard mixture.
8. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
9. Top with shaved or shredded parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutritional Information: (Please note: This is a rough estimate. The exact nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients used.)

• Calories: Approx. 500-600 calories per serving (depending on the type of pasta and meat used)
• Carbohydrates: From pasta
• Protein: From meat and pasta
• Fat: From olive oil and meat
• Fiber: From Swiss chard

Dish Characteristics:

• Creative fusion of American and Italian flavors.
• Swiss chard adds a unique, slightly bitter flavor note.
• Ground meat adds a rich, hearty feel to the dish.
• Simple yet satisfying dish that's perfect for a weeknight meal.

User Comments:

1. "Love the combination of Swiss chard and pasta! This dish was a hit with my family."
2. "The ground meat added a nice richness to the dish. It was delicious."
3. "I added some pepper flakes for a kick of heat, which was a great addition."
4. "Pasta was cooked to perfection, not overcooked but still firm."
5. "Great dish for a vegetarian option too, if you skip the meat."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure to cook the pasta according to package instructions for best results.
• Adjust seasoning, including salt and pepper, to taste.
• If desired, you can add other flavorings such as pepper flakes or herbs for more variety in flavor.