A little about this dish
This lovely French-inspired cocktail, the 'Chardon Charmed', is a unique concoction drawing on the earthy, nutrient-packed Swiss Chard and fall flavors. The key ingredients include Swiss Chard for its color and subtle flavor and pear nectar for an autumn touch.
Ingredients (for 4)
- Large swiss chard leaves — 4 — chopped
- Pear nectar — 1 cup
- French dry white wine — 2 cups
- Small cubes of ardennes cheese — 8 — optional
- Maple syrup — 1/4 cup
- Nutmeg — 1 teaspoon — freshly grated
- Pears — 2 — thinly sliced for garnishment
- Crushed ice —
- Water — 4 cups
- Sea salt — 1 pinch
Preparation
-
Step 1 — 🥬💧🧂Boil the Swiss Chard leaves in water with a pinch of sea salt. Once the leaves are soft, blend them to make a purée and strain to extract the juice.
-
Step 2 — 🍐🥬🍷🍁In a bowl, mix the pear nectar, Swiss Chard juice, maple syrup, and French dry white wine together until well combined.
-
Step 3 — 🧊🧊🥃🥃Divide the crushed ice equally into four highball glasses.
-
Step 4 — 🍹🥂🧊🥄Pour the drink mixture into the four glasses over the crushed ice. Sprinkle each glass with some freshly grated nutmeg.
-
Step 5 — 🍐🧀🥂😋Garnish each glass with a thin pear slice and float two small cubes of Ardennes cheese on top (optional). Serve immediately for the best taste.
A final fox tip
This cocktail is a perfect example of how to use greens in a unique, fun manner. The Ardennes cheese cubes can be swapped for your favorite vegan cheese to keep it dairy-free, or skipped entirely. Also, kids can help wash the Swiss Chard, and garnish with pear slices.