Braised Endive in Cream Sauce

Braising takes the bitter edge off the endive. 

Braised Endive in Cream Sauce
Photo: Hirsheimer and Hamilton
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Yield:
6

Belgian endive has a pleasant crunch and bitterness when served raw, but we also like its gentler, sweeter side. A braise in chicken stock removes the bitter edge from the leaves and makes them supple and tender, while a generous splash of cream mellows and enriches this dish from Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 6 heads (about 1 1/2 pounds) whole Belgian endive, trimmed

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup chicken stock

  • 2 large tarragon sprigs, divided

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

  1. Melt butter in a large nonreactive sauté pan over medium. Add endives; season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

  2. Reduce heat to low. Add stock and 1 tarragon sprig. Cover and cook until endives are tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer endives to a plate.

  3. Return pan to medium-high. Stir in the cream and cook, stirring often, until sauce has reduced to about 1/4 cup and coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes.

  4. Spoon the cream sauce onto a warm serving platter and arrange endives on top. Garnish with leaves from remaining tarragon sprig.

Originally appeared: March 2018

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