Lemon Herb-Braised Belgian Endive
Experience the delicate and slightly bitter flavor of Belgian endive in this delightful braised dish. By gently cooking the endive with butter, sugar, and fresh lemon juice, you allow the natural sweetness of the vegetable to shine through. This recipe is perfect as a side dish or as part of a vegetable medley. The addition of aromatic herbs enhances the overall flavor, making it a beautiful complement to roasted meats or as a light vegetarian option. Adjust the cooking time based on your personal preference for tenderness—whether you like them crisp or soft! For an added burst of freshness, you can use abundant fresh herbs if available.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Belgian endive
6 (rinsed, patted dry, and root end cut off (about 1 1/4 lbs))
Butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (melted)
Sugar
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup (none)
Dried herbs
1 tablespoon (oregano, basil, rosemary or marjoram)
Fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until it is fully melted and begins to foam.
2
Add the whole Belgian endives to the skillet, ensuring they are well-coated in the melted butter.
3
Sprinkle the sugar and drizzle the lemon juice over the endives, followed by pouring in the chicken broth.
4
Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan with a lid and braise the endives for 3 minutes.
5
After 3 minutes, gently turn each endive a quarter way round in the pan. Cover again and braise for an additional 3 minutes. Repeat this process for a total of four turns, braising each side for 3 minutes (a total of 12 minutes in total).
6
Once braising is complete, uncover the pan and raise the heat to medium-high. Stir in the dried herbs and chopped parsley.
7
Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the pan juices to reduce by about two-thirds and concentrate the flavors.
8
Serve the braised endives immediately, drizzling over any remaining pan juices for added flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon Herb-Braised Belgian Endive?
It is a dish where Belgian endives are gently cooked in a mixture of butter, sugar, lemon juice, and chicken broth to highlight their natural sweetness and reduce bitterness.
How many Belgian endives are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 Belgian endives, which is approximately 1 1/4 lbs.
How do I prepare the Belgian endive before cooking?
You should rinse the endives, pat them dry, and cut off the root ends.
What type of fat is used to braise the endive?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter.
Why is sugar added to the recipe?
A small amount of sugar (1/2 teaspoon) is used to help balance the natural bitterness of the endive and enhance its sweetness during braising.
How much lemon juice should I use?
Use 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What kind of broth is best for this dish?
The recipe recommends using 1/2 cup of low sodium chicken broth.
Which dried herbs work well in this recipe?
Dried oregano, basil, rosemary, or marjoram are all excellent choices.
When do I add the fresh parsley?
The fresh chopped parsley should be stirred in after the braising is complete, during the final reduction of the juices.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it fully melts and begins to foam.
How do I ensure the endives are well-seasoned with butter?
Add the whole endives to the skillet and make sure they are well-coated in the melted butter before adding other liquids.
What temperature should I use to bring the mixture to a boil?
Increase the heat slightly after adding the liquids to bring the mixture to a boil.
Should the pan be covered during braising?
Yes, cover the pan with a lid once the mixture reaches a boil to braise the endives properly.
How long should I braise the endive on each side?
Braise the endives for 3 minutes before turning them.
How many times should I turn the endives during cooking?
You should turn each endive a quarter way round four times, for a total of 12 minutes of braising.
What is the total braising time for this recipe?
The total braising time is 12 minutes, divided into four 3-minute intervals.
When do I increase the heat to reduce the juices?
Raise the heat to medium-high once the 12-minute braising period is complete and the pan is uncovered.
How much should the pan juices be reduced?
Allow the juices to reduce by about two-thirds to concentrate the flavors.
How long does the final reduction step take?
Cook for an additional 2 minutes after uncovering and adding the herbs.
How should I serve the braised endives?
Serve them immediately, drizzling any remaining concentrated pan juices over the top.
Can I adjust the tenderness of the endive?
Yes, you can adjust the cooking time based on whether you prefer the endives to be crisp or soft.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
To make it strictly vegetarian, you should substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
What does braising do to the flavor of endive?
Braising softens the texture and allows the bitterness to mellow while absorbing the flavors of the lemon, herbs, and butter.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried ones?
Yes, you can use abundant fresh herbs if available for an added burst of freshness.
Is this dish gluten-free?
As written with standard ingredients, it is gluten-free, but always check your broth label to be sure.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a balance of slightly bitter, sweet, and bright citrus notes with savory herbal undertones.
What can I serve this with?
It is a beautiful complement to roasted meats or can be served as a light vegetarian option.
Do I need to chop the endives?
No, this recipe calls for using the Belgian endives whole.
Is the root end edible?
While edible, the root end is often the most bitter part, so the recipe recommends cutting it off before cooking.
Can I substitute the butter?
You can substitute olive oil or a vegan butter alternative if you prefer a dairy-free option.