Swiss Chard al Forno

Although it’s chock-full of vitamins and minerals, chard’s main virtue is its extraordinary flavor, which, alas, is practically impossible to describe. Bolder than spinach, yet deeper, sturdier, earthier, and more pure? Versatile too, and a boon to soups, among many other dishes. Chard could almost be considered two vegetables, as the lush leafy greens must be prepared one way and the firm stalks quite another. Here I combine both leaves and stalks in a gratin bound with a light béchamel an