Asafoetida

Indian Greens

2 1/2 lb Swiss chard leaves, washed and coarsely chopped. The white stems are optional, if used wash and cut not too big.
1/2 tsp asafetida
1/3 cup olive oil
red chilli and salt to taste

1. Heat the oil in a pan, just medium heat. Add the chilli and asafetida. Cook for a minute.
2. If using the stems, add them now to the pan and cook for two or three minutes.
3. Add the leaves and about 1/2 cup of water. Stir. Cover and let it cook for ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook for another five minutes without the lid to let the water evaporate.
4. Add salt and serve warm.

NOTE - Use ghee or neutral oil for a more authentic Indian flavor. The hot peppers are optional. If using Indian chillies, use 2 or 3, or to taste. The Spanish chillies I keep in my pantry are so hot that a little strip does the trick.

If you are cannot find asafetida, substitute it for two cloves of garlic, peeled and slivered.