Recipes

(Recipe) Oven-Baked Endive Gratin

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(Recipe) Oven-baked Endive Gratin

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a warm, cheesy gratin to brighten up your day. This easy-to-make oven-baked endive gratin is perfect for a light vegetarian meal and brings together the subtle bitterness of endive with a creamy, golden topping. Ideal for busy weeknights, this dish is both comforting and full of flavor.

Recipe from eefkooktzo.nl

What You’ll Need:

6 heads of endive (witlof)
150 ml cooking cream
50 grams grated cheese (your choice—cheddar, Gouda, or gruyère work well)
A handful of panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
A pinch of thyme

How to Make It:

Preheat the Oven:
Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F) using both the top and bottom heating elements.
Prepare the Endive:
Trim off the base of the endives and remove the bitter core. Bring a small saucepan of salted water to a boil and briefly blanch the endives until just tender. Once blanched, cut each endive in half lengthwise.
Brown the Endives:
In a frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Place the cut side of the endive halves in the pan and fry until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Assemble the Gratin:
Transfer the browned endives to a baking dish. In the same pan (off the heat), add the cooking cream and grated cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts into the cream—this forms your delicious sauce. Pour the sauce evenly over the endives in the dish.
Add the Topping:
Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs over the dish. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of thyme to taste.
Bake to Perfection:
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 5–10 minutes, or until the panko topping turns a lovely golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy:
Remove from the oven, serve hot, and savor the perfect blend of creamy, crispy, and slightly bitter flavors.