Chard Toast

If you’re looking for a quick, easy and low-fat appetizer for spring entertaining, try Swiss Chard Bruschetta.

Red Swiss chard has been particularly colorful this season, with stalks ranging from orange to red. The chard may be cooked in advance, making assembly just before serving especially easy, and the uncooked leaves make an attractive garnish for the finished platter of hors d’oeuvres.

Pick up a long, thin French baguette for the toast. Consider the pureed cottage cheese to be a nonfat version of creme frai^che. The bit of butter in the bread crumbs makes a rich-tasting finish for the bruschetta.

Swiss Chard Bruschetta

Active Work Time: 40 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 1 hour

1/2 pound red Swiss chard

4 cloves garlic, minced

Nonstick olive oil cooking spray

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon minced dill

Salt, pepper

1/2 cup nonfat cottage cheese

24 slices French bread, toasted

2 teaspoons butter

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

* Remove stalks from chard and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Cut leaves into 2-inch pieces.

* Saute chopped chard stalks and 2 cloves garlic in skillet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray over medium heat 1 minute. Add water, reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in chopped chard leaves and cook over high heat until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

* Puree cottage cheese in blender or food processor until smooth. Stir in salt to taste.

* Melt butter in small skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining 2 cloves garlic and saute, stirring, until tender but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in bread crumbs to coat with garlic and butter and cook, stirring, until browned, 1 to 2 minutes.

* Spread about 1 teaspoon pureed cottage cheese on each slice of toasted bread. Top with about 1 tablespoon chard, then sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs.

24 bruschetta. Each bruschetta: 114 calories; 266 mg sodium; 2 mg cholesterol; 1 gram fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams protein; 0.16 gram fiber.