pc cuisine
The Belgian Endive is easy to work with, and makes a perfect vehicle for the cream cheese/blue cheese blend. I typically use Gorgonzola instead of blue cheese; I love the extra blue flavor, and the price is better too.
Endive or Escarole?
If you live in the USA, you will most likely find that Belgian Endive looks like what you see in the picture above. But confusion arises if you live in parts of Europe (and some other countries). What Americans call "Belgian Endive" might be called "Escarole". One thing we can all call it: Delicious!
This is a fairly simple recipe to make; it's one of those relatively healthy recipes too! Makes 70-80 pieces (two large platters), to serve 25-50, depending on how much food there is.
Ingredients:
Let cheeses sit out to get to room temperature. Add to mixer and beat on high for several minutes until smooth: > One 8-oz. package cream cheese > 8 oz. Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola
Meanwhile, prepare pecans. First, mix together: > 1/2 c. sugar > 1 tsp. chili powder
In skillet, on medium heat, slowly brown until sugar's melted and nuts are golden, stirring constantly: > 2 c. pecans, chopped > 1/4 c. butter > the sugar mixed w/spice
Turn the caramelized nuts out onto wax paper, spreading to avoid clumping. Let cool.
Prepare the endive. Use: > 1 1/4 lb. or so (about 10 small endives)
Cut the ends off endives, separating leaves. Spread each leaf with the cream cheese/ blue cheese mix, arranging on platter as you go.
Garnish the leaves spread with cheese with: > The caramelized pecans
Optional: Top off that with a light drizzle of: > Honey (preferably in a squeezable bear)
Warm
the
honey slightly if it's too thick. I actually forgot the honey last
time, and it was still excellent. The sweetness of the nuts (and
honey) counters the slight bitterness of the endive perfectly. To serve, you can garnish with: > 1-2 clusters of red grapes, washed and cut into smaller clumps
The platter looks elegant, and tastes great.