Here is a great recipe using the chard you can grow in your container garden. I saw this recipe prepared by Chef Michael Schlow on the PBS TV program "Victory Garden," and I like it so much that I emailed Chef Schlow and asked his permission to use the recipe here. This recipe is fast, easy, and it's a dinner: add a tossed salad or - even easier - some sliced tomatoes, and there's your whole dinner.

So - by courtesy of Michael Schlow, Chef/Owner of the Radius Restaurant in Boston:

INGREDIENTS:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
2. Over high heat, place the oil and garlic in a large sauté pan and gently cook until the garlic turns golden brown.
3. Add 3 pinches of salt, 2 pinches of black pepper, and 2 pinches of crushed red pepper to the oil.
4. Add the rosemary and Swiss chard. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until it is tender but still has a bit of bite to it.
6. While the pasta is cooking, add the stock to the Swiss chard and reduce for 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Add the walnuts and cook for 30 seconds.
8. Add the lemon juice and butter. Taste for seasoning.
9. Strain the pasta from the water and add it to the Swiss chard. Toss it all together until most of the liquid is absorbed by the pasta.
10. Add the cheese.
11. The pasta should be slightly creamy, and no extra sauce should be apparent. Divide into two bowls and serve.

Recipe Copyright © 2002 Michael Schlow (Used with permission.)