Love Thy Leftovers: Swiss Chard Mashed Potatoes

Using leftovers in a creative and delicious way is the key to preventing boredom and waste in the kitchen.  I had a serving of swiss chard (with apple) left over and did not want to eat it plain.  Enter the mashed potatoes.  The swiss chard added some much needed texture, flavor, and nutrition to the mashed potatoes and the potatoes changed it up just enough to make it interesting.  If you want to make your own, that would be great too- I simply didn't have the time or potatoes to do that.  I had about a cup of wilted chard, but you can mix in however much you like, within reason (or amount of potatoes).  If your chard is still in large, wilted, chunks you might take a knife to it before adding it in so it mixes evenly.

You will need:
One cup swiss chard with apples (recipe below)
1 Garlic clove, very finely chopped
1 pouch instant mashed potatoes (I used herb and butter)
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 pat butter
Salt
Pepper

For the swiss chard:
2 bunches swiss chard, removed from stalks and torn into bite sized pieces
2 buches swiss chard stems, chopped into bite sized pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 honey crisp apple, chopped
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

In a large pot heat a bit of olive oil over medium high heat.  Add the chard stems and cook 2-3 minutes, then add the onions and cook for 3-4 more minutes.  Create a empty space in the pan and add the garlic, cooking it until it just begins to brown, 30 seconds to a minute.  Stir the garlic into the onions and stems and then add the chard, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chard is completely wilted down.  Add the chopped apple and cook for 1-2 more minutes.

For the Swiss Chard Mashed Potatoes:
Put a pat of butter in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat.  Add the chopped garlic clove and saute until golden.  Add the 2 cups of chicken stock and bring to a boil.  While the liquid is coming to a boil heat the serving of swiss chard in the microwave or in a separate saute pan.  When the stock boils, take off the heat, and add the potato mix and stir with a fork until it all comes together.  Then take the heated chard and stir into the potato mixture and serve.