I’m sure I’m not alone when I say, the meals are a little simpler in the McSequeira house these days.

We’ve been stretching one unemployment check between the two of us, as we look for work in our respective fields. Which reminds me! Need an incredibly-skilled comedic and dramatic actor? The most intelligent and vocabulary-rich writer I know? A witty, imaginative improv-er? A looker? Hire my husband, Brendan McNamara! He’s pretty rad, man. And in a dream world, he’d be acting on Saturday Night Live. See what I mean?

SNL REEL: Brendan McNamara from brendan “fireball” mcnamara on Vimeo.

So, yeah if you can make that happen, let me know. 

Where was I?

Oh yeah. FOOD!

So yeah, our meals are simpler — less meat, more carbs, more veggies. My recipes have always been pretty cheap to begin with, but these days, I’ve been trying to find even less-frilly ways to feed ourselves.  You can look forward to some of those recipes in the next season of Aarti Paarti.  But in the meantime, I found one that I just couldn’t wait to share!

I came across this recipe from Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali’s restaurant partner. As soon as I read it, I knew it was a keeper, and I KNEW I had to share it with you folks! It’s one of those dishes that you’ll make over and over, because it’s healthy, cheap (two of your ingredients are canned goods, so they’ll only cost you about $0.80 each!) and quick. In fact, this entire meal cost me about $4! hel-LO!

I made one adjustment of note; Joe (yeah, I figure we’re on a first-name basis now) boils his swiss chard, then squeezes the water out of it. I couldn’t stand the idea of losing all that lovely chlorophyll in the water, so I just cooked it with the rest of the ingredients and it turned out great! I can’t wait for you to try it.

Unemployment Dinner!

aka Swiss chard, tomato and Great Northern Bean sautee
(adapted from Joe Bastianich recipe)

Olive oil
1 onion, sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 15oz can whole tomatoes, chopped, juices retained
1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
1 big bunch swiss chard, washed, stems diced, and leaves sliced about 1/2″ thick
1 15oz can Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
Salt & pepper

1) Warm a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add onions, and a little salt. Saute until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Saute 30 seconds until garlic is fragrant. Add tomato paste and saute another 30 seconds.
2) Add tomatoes, and a little more salt. Cook until tomatoes turn mushy, about 3 minutes.
3) Add swiss chard, tossing until well combined with tomato mixture. Add 1/2 cup water, bring to a boil, then turn heat down a simmer. Semi-cover and cook about 10 minutes, until chard is cooked through.
4) Add beans. Toss, and warm through. Taste for seasoning and adjust according to your taste. Enjoy, knowing that you’ve beat the system one more time! $4 dinner! Woohoo!

-x-
aarti