Smoked Chicken And Gorgonzola Salad In Endive Spears Recipes

ENDIVE STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND SMOKED SALMON AND CHEESY CHICKEN BON-BONS

Steps:

• For the goat cheese filling: Mix the goat cheese, 1/2 cup of the cream cheese, the cream, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, vinegar, 2 tablespoons salt and pepper in the bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until well blended and creamy. Remove half of the goat cheese filling to a separate bowl and add in the remaining 1/2 cup cream cheese. Set aside and chill for the cheesy chicken bon-bons.
• For the salmon stuffed endive: Add the salmon, the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the dill and parsley to the first half of the goat cheese filling. Mix to combine well. Check the seasoning; you may want to add some salt or pepper but that will depend on the flavor your salmon has.
• Transfer the filling into a zip-top bag and cut the tip to make a medium opening, or use a pastry bag with a medium tip. The filling is dense so you need a larger opening to pipe it. You can also use a spoon to fill the endive but piping is faster. Pipe the mixture onto the tip of the endive. Keep the endive chilled until serving time.
• To serve, garnish with a bit of lemon zest, a sprinkle of toasted almonds and a bit of the salmon roe if using on top.
• For the chicken bon-bons: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the chicken thighs on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 35 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and roast for 10 minutes more (about 15 minutes per pound cooking time, depending on the size of the thighs. To check doneness, pierce the thigh in the thickest part; if the juices run clear, it is likely done). Set aside to cool. Remove the chicken from the bone and mince; not too fine, but not big chunks, either.
• While the chicken is cooling, mix the sour cream, parsley, chives, dill, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne and a big pinch salt into the reserved goat cheese filling. Add the chopped chicken and chill again.
• Select 15 to 20 of the animal crackers for garnish. Put 2 cups of the remaining animal crackers into a food processor and pulse to make them into fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs onto a plate. Using a very small ice cream scoop (so you have consistent size), scoop the chicken mixture and roll into small balls. Roll in the crumbs and garnish with an animal cracker. Do this final step just before serving so the cracker crumbs don't get too damp.

ENDIVE & GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Carefully peel the leaves from the head of endive, and place them open-side up on a serving platter. Place one leaf of parsley at the base of each endive leaf and 1 tablespoon of Gorgonzola artfully on top of the parsley.

SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine chicken, celery, grapes, pecans, and scallions in a medium bowl.
• Stir mayonnaise, vinegar, paprika, and pepper together in a small bowl until well blended. Pour over chicken mixture and stir until well combined.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 days.

ENDIVE AND GORGONZOLA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a shallow baking pan toast walnuts in middle of oven until fragrant, about 10 minutes, and cool. Chop walnuts.
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegars and 1/2 teaspoon honey and add oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Separate 4 outer leaves from each endive and arrange 3 leaves on each of 4 plates. Cut remaining endive crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and put in a large bowl. Peel apple and using a mandoline or other manual slicer cut thin slices lengthwise from 4 sides, stopping just before core. Make small stacks of slices and cut stacks into thin julienne strips.
• Toss sliced endive with dressing and divide among plates, mounding on whole leaves. Top salads with Gorgonzola, walnuts, apple, chives, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle remaining 2 teaspoons honey over salads.