Potato, Swiss Chard, and Bread Soup
- 3/4 pound Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes, peeled, rinsed, and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- Salt
- 1 small bunch Swiss chard (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 cup diced (1/2-inch) day-old Italian bread without crusts
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Pour enough cold water over the potatoes in a deep, heavy 4-quart pot to cover by three fingers.
- Salt the water lightly and bring to a boil.
- Adjust the heat so the water is at a gentle boil and cook the potatoes, covered, until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, strip the chard leaves from the stems.
- (Reserve the stems for another use; see page 322.)
- Wash the chard in a sinkful of cool water, swishing it well and waiting for the dirt to settle to the bottom of the sink.
- Scoop the chard out with a wire skimmer or your hands; drain well in a colander.
- Cut the chard leaves into 1 1/2-inch strips and stir them into the water after the potatoes have been cooking about 5 minutes.
- Stir the bread into the pot after the chard has been cooking about 5 minutes.
- Season the soup with salt and cook until the potatoes and chard are tender and the bread is falling apart, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over low heat.
- Whack the garlic cloves with the side of a knife and stir them into the oil.
- Sprinkle the crushed red pepper over the oil and cook until the garlic is golden, about 3 minutes.
- Scrape the contents of the skillet into the pot.
- Stir well.
- Taste the soup and season with additional salt if you like.
- Ladle the soup into warm bowls, and sprinkle some of the grated cheese over the top of each, or pass a bowl of cheese separately.
potatoes, salt, swiss chard, italian bread, extravirgin olive oil, garlic, hot red pepper, freshly grated pecorino romano cheese
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/potato-swiss-chard-and-bread-soup-375075 (may not work)