Baked Belgian Endive With Pecorino And Walnuts Recipes

ROASTED BELGIAN ENDIVE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425.
• Discard any of the endive's bruised or wilted outer leaves. Cut away a thin slice from the root end to remove the usually discolored surface portion of the stem. Wash the endive under cold running water, then shake off the moisture.
• Cut each head of endive in half lengthwise. Make a cut in the root end, cutting half as deep as the root is thick and running the cut from the bottom to where the leaves join the root.
• Place the endive on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast, turning once, until the endive is browned, and very tender, 50 to 60 minutes. (It's done when you can easily pierce the root end with a fork.) Serve hot or warm.

BAKED BELGIAN ENDIVE WITH PECORINO AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss endives with oil and salt and pepper to taste in a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish and arrange, packed, in 1 layer. Bake, covered with foil, in middle of oven until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Sprinkle evenly with walnuts and cheese and bake, uncovered, 10 minutes.

BAKED BELGIAN ENDIVE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Place the endive stalks in a greased, shallow 1 1/2 quart oven proof cassserole dish. Dot with the butter. Sprinkle the endive with the sugar, salt and pepper.
• Cover and cook for about 1 1/2 hours until soft. Any liquid remaining is to be discarded. Set endive aside.
• Cook the bacon in a medium saucepan over medium heat (DO NOT burn!) Remove the cooked bacon to a paper towel to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings.
• Increase oven heat to 350 degrees.
• Heat the reserved drippings on medium heat and add the flour. Stir until bubbling, but again, do not burn! Gradually pour in the half and half (or heavy cream.) Heat the mixture and stir for approximately 5 minutes until almost boiling and thickened. Pour the sauce over the endive.
• Chop up the bacon into little pieces and sprinkle over the endive along with the Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
• Bake, uncovered, for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and lightly browned on top.

SEARED BELGIAN ENDIVE WITH WALNUT GREMOLATA

Steps:

• To make the gremolata, mix together walnuts, parsley, lemon zest, fleur de sel and garlic, if using. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a medium or large skillet over medium heat. Place endive halves in the skillet, cut side down. They should not be touching one another. Season with kosher salt and pepper and cover pan loosely. Cook until golden brown on the cut side, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a platter or to individual plates, cut side up.
• Sprinkle a generous tablespoon of gremolata over each endive half. Drizzle with walnut oil and serve warm.