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Vegetarian, European

Louvi with Swiss chard and bread

Louvi is a Cypriot dish made with black eyed peas, Swiss chard and lemon, served with crusty bread. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes and is very easy, at €1.60 per serving. The key to success is crushing the garlic with salt and pouring the olive oil and lemon over the dish while it's still warm.

Tonight, we're tasting Cyprus with louvi, black eyed peas and lemony Swiss chard.

Louvi with Swiss chard and bread
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
670 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Fall

Louvi combines the tender bite of black eyed peas with soft, melting Swiss chard, sharpened by raw garlic and lemon juice. It tastes bright and fresh despite being cooked, and you eat it warm or at room temperature, with just enough olive oil to bring everything together without weighing it down.

This is the kind of dish you can throw together on a weeknight without much thought, when you want minimal effort and big flavor. It also works for a simple Sunday, set in the middle of the table with bread for scooping, good for the whole family except maybe the youngest ones who might find the raw garlic a bit sharp.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Canned black eyed peasoften in the pantry 3 can
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Swiss chard 800 g
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Lemon 2
  • Parsley 6 sprigs

Bakery

  • Country bread 6 slices

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Wash the Swiss chard, separating the leaves from the stems. Cut the stems into 3 cm pieces.

    The stems take longer to cook than the leaves, so treat them separately.

  2. Cook the stems in boiling salted water, then add the leaves near the end of cooking. 10 min

    Drain well and press lightly, otherwise the dish turns watery.

  3. Drain and rinse the black eyed peas, then warm them gently in hot water for 5 minutes.

    Don't let them boil, they'll burst.

  4. Mix the chard and peas in a large bowl with the crushed garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.

    Crush the garlic with a little salt, it spreads evenly through the dish.

  5. Drizzle with 5 tablespoons of olive oil and the lemon juice, then serve with the bread.

    Adjust the lemon to taste, this dish loves citrus.

Our tips to get it right

  • Always keep the chard stems and leaves separate while cooking, they need different cooking times and this keeps the leaves from turning mushy.
  • Pick canned black eyed peas that hold their shape well, and rinse them under cold water so they stay firm in the finished dish.
  • Let the dish rest a few minutes after seasoning it, so the garlic and lemon have time to really flavor the peas and chard.

The variations

  • Swap the Swiss chard for fresh spinach, cutting the leaf cooking time down to 2 minutes.
  • Add diced fresh tomatoes right before serving for extra freshness and color.
  • For a quicker version, use black eyed peas that are already warm and skip the step of reheating them in water.

What to serve it with

  • Grilled crusty bread
  • Black olives on the side
  • Crumbled feta or fresh cheese

Storage

Louvi keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well, since the chard and lemon change texture once thawed. Serve it cold or at room temperature rather than reheated, to keep the lemon and olive oil flavor intact.

Questions about this dish

Can you make louvi ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the chard and peas a day ahead and keep them in the fridge. Add the oil, garlic and lemon just before serving to keep all the freshness.

Can you use a different bean instead of black eyed peas?

You can use canned white beans or cannellini if you can't find black eyed peas. The flavor will be slightly less distinctive but the texture stays close.

How do you soften the raw garlic flavor for kids?

Cut the garlic amount in half, or warm it briefly in a little oil before adding it. This mellows the sharpness while keeping the flavor.

Do you need to peel the chard stems?

Not if the chard is fresh and the stems are thin. If the stems are thick or stringy, pull off the fibers with a peeler before cutting them.

How long does it take to make a louvi with Swiss chard and bread?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a louvi with Swiss chard and bread?

About 670 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a louvi with Swiss chard and bread cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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