Skillet Potatoes With Chard

1. 1

   Heat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. 2

   In a pot, combine the potatoes with water to cover by 1 inch. Generously salt the water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Drain and let cool.

3. 3

   To prep the chard, separate the chard leaves from the stems. Stack the leaves on top of each other, roll them like a cigar, and cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch ribbons. (Note: I prefer this dish texturally without the chard stems; you can reserve them for another use, such as the Genius Grilled Chard Stems recipe on this site.)

4. 4

   While potatoes are cooking, prepare the chard. In a 10 to 12-inch ovenproof skillet, cook the pancetta in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderate heat until it's starting to render its fat, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the shallots, thyme leaves, and a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes, and continue cooking until the shallots start to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the chard leaves, tossing to coat with the oil. (You may have to add the leaves in several batches and wait for them to wilt before adding more.) Saute the chard leaves until they're crisp-tender, another 3 to 5 minutes, tossing once or twice. Add the cream. Lower heat, and continue cooking until the chard leaves are completely tender. Season to taste with salt and finely grated lemon zest.

5. 5

   Add the cooked potatoes to the skillet with the chard; turn off the heat under the skillet. Gently fold the potatoes and chard together so they're both coated with cream (don't worry if some of the potatoes break apart in the process). Add another tablespoon or two of cream if the mixture looks dry. Spread the mixture so it's evenly distributed in the skillet. (Note: the dish can be prepared up to this point and set aside, covered, at room temperature for a few hours before baking.)

6. 6

   To finish the dish, mix the panko with a few teaspoons of olive oil and mix well to evenly coat, then mix together with the shredded cheese. Top the potatoes and chard with the panko and shredded cheese mixture and slide the skillet into the oven. Bake until bubbly and lightly browned on top, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

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