Cheesy Panade with Swiss Chard, Beans & Sausage

By tulawdog

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) loaf day-old crusty country bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces uncooked pork sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium bunch Swiss chard (about 12 ounces)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme, or 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans (3 cups beans), drained and rinsed
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces), divided
• 4 cups (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
• Coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Dry out or toast the bread cubes. To dry out, place bread on a rimmed baking sheet and let sit out to dry at room temperature, stirring once or twice, at least 8 hours or overnight. To toast, place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 375°F oven until toasted, stirring halfway through, about 20 minutes total.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sausage and onion and cook, breaking up the sausage into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is cooked through and the onions are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the chard stems into 1/2-inch pieces, thinly slice the chard leaves, and keep the stems and leaves separate.

Add the chard stems to the pan and cook until the stems are softened, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add the chard leaves, garlic, and thyme, and cook until the leaves are wilted and tender, about 4 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Place 1/3 of the bread cubes (about 4 cups) in an even layer in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Scatter 1/3 of the chard mixture (about 1 cup) and 1 cup of the beans over the bread. Scatter 2/3 cup of the cheese over the entire layer. Repeat with layering in this order in the same amounts: bread, chard mixture, cheese, remaining bread, and remaining chard mixture. Refrigerate the remaining 2/3 cup of cheese. Pour the broth evenly over the top of the panade.

Cover and cook on the HIGH setting for 4 to 6 hours, or on the LOW setting for 8 hours. Sprinkle the reserved 2/3 cup cheese over the top of the panade in the last 15 minutes of cooking. Serve in bowls, garnished with parsley if desired.

Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The sausage and chard mixture can be cooked up to 1 day ahead, cooled, and refrigerated until ready to assemble. The bread can be dried or toasted up to 1 day ahead.
Storage: Freeze leftover panade in individual containers. Reheat in the microwave on HIGH for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.
Oven directions: Assemble the panade in a 9x13-inch casserole dish or Dutch oven. Cover with aluminum foil or a lid, and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese, and continue baking uncovered for 15 minutes more.