The puff pastry baskets are an open version of the empanadas, however, they are much easier to prepare, since we do not run the risk of them exploding in the oven as happens with moist fillings of vegetables, meat, cheese, etc. For this reason, on this occasion, we want to teach you how to prepare some delicious and healthy chard baskets. Ideal to take as a lunch to school, work or college, thanks to its practicality. In addition, at the end of the recipe we will provide you with other filling ideas so that you can alternate and not get bored. At this article we teach you how to make easy and healthy chard baskets. Let’s cook!
Ingredients to make Chard Baskets:
• 12 empanada discs
• 10 chard leaves
• 1 onion
• ½ cup of milk (120 milliliters)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1 pinch of pepper
• ½ teaspoon of Provencal
• 60 grams of fresh cheese (optional)
How to make Chard Baskets:
To start with the recipe for the baskets stuffed with vegetables, first peel and chop the onion to sauté it in a pan over high heat with a teaspoon of oil. When it’s translucent, lower the heat to medium and, if necessary, add a tablespoon of hot water to clear it from the bottom. Repeat about 2 or 3 times to cook. Meanwhile, wash and chop the chard leaves.
When the onions are cooked, raise the heat to the maximum and add the cleaned and chopped chard leaves. Sauté them for 1 minute and turn off the heat. Don’t sauté them any longer or they’ll start to release a lot of liquid and your empanada dough baskets will be too soggy. Reserve the mixture while it cools.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the cold milk and heat it for 30 seconds in the microwave, stir and repeat 2 or 3 times until the white sauce is thick. If you don’t have a microwave, you can cook it in a small pot on the stove over medium heat while stirring for about 3-5 minutes. When it is ready, season it to taste with the nutmeg, pepper and Provencal. Mix the white sauce with the sautéed vegetables. Arrange the vegetable empanada tops in a muffin tin to form the baskets. Fill the baskets with the chard filling.
If you wish, you can add a square of fresh cheese in the center to add more protein to this dish, as well as flavor. Then cook them in a preheated oven at 200ºC or 220ºC for about 12 to 15 minutes until the dough is lightly browned.
With what to accompany the chard baskets
This dish provides enough carbohydrates thanks to the mass of the stuffed baskets, as well as vegetables in its filling. However, you can accompany them with a salad to add even more vegetables, as well as a source of protein to complete the dish, such as: arugula and cheese or tomato and egg.
