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Killer App: Endive Boats

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:28:11 -0700

The other night I got home from work and was starving. Unfortunately we had late dinner plans that evening, so I couldn't chow down too heavily. We also had limited supplies in our cabinets; there was no bread, crackers, or fruit to snack on. Oddly there were several heads of fresh endives and I figured that was a good place to start.

Endive is great in that you can trim the bottoms off and use the leaves in lieu of crackers. Sometimes I just dollop a mixture of blue cheese and candied walnuts on the ends, and other times I use a tapenade or a hummus. This time I ended up ~~cleaning out my pantry~~ blending canned tuna, hummus - it was a nice replacement for mayonnaise - sundried tomato/olive tapenade, and chopped cherry tomatoes into a creamy mixture. I then placed a small spoonful on each end. It ended up being the perfect snack and I was able to save the rest of the mixture - which I put on top of a bed of leafy greens - for lunch the next day.

If you've never had endive, I suggest you give it a try. The outer leaves tend to be more bitter than the inner ones, which are creamy and mild. Just think of them as carb-free savory crackers, and top them with whatever you feel like! They're a great personal snack and make for an elegant appetizer. Most people are always thrilled by them, so give it a go and let us know what you make!

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Yummy Link: Tuna Endive Boats

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:27:18 -0700

I was addicted to endives for a while. They're like crackers, made from vegetables instead. You better believe I'm going to give these Fancy Schmancy Tuna Endive Boats a try. - Jumbo Empanadas

Goat Cheese and Dill Endive Boats

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:38:10 -0800

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Endive Boats filled with Tuna Hummus

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:12:18 -0700

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Goat Cheese Endive Bites: A Simple and Fresh Party Pleaser

YumSugar — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:00:09 -0800

For New Year's Eve, my friend Jenny is hosting a party with appetizers, and she's asked me to bring something. I know that she's already going to have buffalo wings, nachos, and virtually every chip and dip combination. To be different, I'm going to bring these goat cheese and dill endive boats. My friends won't be able to resist the combination of the crisp, slightly bitter endive with creamy, tangy goat cheese. Compared to the rich, bold flavors of the other appetizers, these crudités will be a breath of fresh air. To make these for your next gathering, read more.

Goat Cheese and Dill Endive Boats
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

5 ounces goat cheese, softened
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dill, chopped, plus more for garnish
2 to 3 endive heads
Black pepper

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine goat cheese, cream, olive oil, and chopped dill together, blending with a fork.
Season with black pepper to taste.
Using the back of a spoon, spread the inside of each endive leaf with goat cheese mixture. Garnish each boat with a sprig of dill.

Makes 24.

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Nikki Cascone, the Princess at 24 Prince

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:28:32 -0700

Last week, Top Chef contestant Nikki Cascone almost went home because of a bad batch of mushrooms. However I've been fully assured by several Sugar cohorts that it must have been a fluke because her food is fabulous. After a recent Coutorture cocktail event, my pals told me that the appetizers were delicious and the desserts - specifically the doughnuts with melted chocolate - were to die for. One of the apps that stood out to me was an endive boat filled with apple, pecorino cheese, and chives. With my recent endive fascination, I knew I had to get the recipe. Luckily, the folks at 24 Prince were kind enough to pass it along.

You can check out the recipe, along with other droolicious food photos and photos of Chef Nikki all glammed up; just read more.

Apple and Endive Boats
From Nikki Cascone at 24 Prince

Ingredients

1 Gala Apple
4 Large Endives
1 tbsp Chopped Chives
4 tbsp Citrus Vinaigrette [recipe follows]
1/3 cup shaved Pecorino Cheese
Fresh Mint, chiffonaded

Directions

Julienne the whole apple into a mixing bowl.
Peel off large outer leaves of endives to use as boats to hold the salad. Finely chop the remaining hearts and add to apple.
Add chives to mixing bowl.
Add Citrus Vinaigrette into salad.
Add Pecorino Cheese into mixing bowl with salad.
Mix altogether and place a small amount of salad into each endive boat, garnish with fresh mint.

Citrus Vinaigrette
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 grapefruit
Juice of orange
1/2 cup sugar
salt to taste

Emulsify ingredients together.

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Photos courtesy of Jayne Wexler
Hair and Makeup by Don Rockicki