Belgian endive wrapped in ham with cheese, known as "lof met ham en kaas" in the Netherlands, is a culinary delight that combines the distinct flavors of endive, ham, and cheese to create a tantalizing treat. Originating from Belgium, this dish has gained popularity worldwide, captivating palates with its unique blend of textures and delightful flavors. Whether served as an appetizer, main course, or indulgent snack, "lof met ham en kaas" offers a culinary experience that is both satisfying and memorable.
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BRAISED ENDIVE WITH HAM AND GRUYèRE
My grandmother passed this recipe down to my mom and she then passed it on to me. It's a casserole of pure comfort. First, bitter endive is simmered until sweet, then wrapped in savory ham and smothered with a creamy nutmeg béchamel. Gruyère tops it off before it's baked until bubbly and golden.
Provided by Jean Georges Vongerichten
Categories Cheese Leafy Green Vegetable Side Bake Braise Dinner Meat Ham Winter Endive Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Cheese Week
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To cook the endive, combine the butter, sugar, salt, and 10 1/2 cups water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Add the endive, cover, and cook until very tender, about 45 minutes. A knife should be able to pierce through with no resistance. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the endive to paper towels. Reserve 1 1/4 cups cooking liquid. When cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the endive.
- Wrap each endive with slices of ham. Arrange the endive in a shallow baking dish that holds them snugly; you don't want any space between the endive.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- To make the béchamel, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until golden. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture smells nutty, about 2 minutes. Continue whisking and add the milk, then the reserved endive cooking liquid in a slow, steady stream. Bring the mixture to a boil while whisking. Continue whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the nutmeg and pepper.
- Pour the béchamel over the endive and spread to cover them evenly. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top. Set the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until bubbly and golden brown on top, about 15 minutes. If you want the top more browned and crusty, broil for a minute or two after baking. Serve hot.
BELGIAN ENDIVE WRAPPED IN HAM WITH CHEESE / LOF MET HAM EN KAAS
Belgian endive or chicory is not a vegetable that will be liked by everybody. It being slightly bitter puts it in the category for an acquired taste. The recipe is based on 2 pieces per serving, so if you buy the endive heads and they are large or thick and you will halve them buy less heads. You can also make a bechamel sauce to which you add cheese and nutmeg, pour that over the ham wrapped endive, add more cheese on the top and bake. Bread crumbs can be mixed in the cheese for the topping. In Holland we usually serve this with mashed potatoes.
Provided by PetsRus
Categories Ham
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cut of a thin slice of the bottom of the endive, with a small knife remove the bitter core of the endive.
- Cut large heads in half and don't forget to remove the core.
- Cook the endive in salted water and the lemon juice for 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked.
- Drain and put them in a colander.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- When cool enough to handle, wrap each endive in a slice of ham, also the loose leaves, put them in a greased oven proof dish, add grated nutmeg, sprinkle the cheese on top and add some flecks of butter.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
GRATIN OF ENDIVE AND HAM
Categories Milk/Cream Appetizer Bake Ham Swiss Cheese Endive Bon Appétit Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 8 (first-course) or 4 (main-course) servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring broth to simmer in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add endive and simmer uncovered until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain thoroughly. Place on paper towels and cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 11x7-inch glass baking dish. Roll each endive in ham slice to enclose. Arrange rolls in prepared dish. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute. Add milk, cream, mustard, and nutmeg and bring to boil, whisking constantly. Boil sauce 1 minute; season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over rolls. Sprinkle Swiss cheese evenly over. Bake until sauce is bubbling all over and cheese begins to brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
BELGIAN ENDIVE AU GRATIN
Belgian endive (called 'witloof' in Dutch or 'chicon' in Belgian French) has an ivory-white head with pale yellow-edged, closely wrapped leaves, a mildly bitter flavor, and tender juicy texture.
Provided by gaidgin
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Place the endives into the water. Cover, and cook until tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Place the butter into a saucepan, and melt over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and golden brown. Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture, whisking constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup Gruyere cheese, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until well blended. Cook gently over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Preheat an oven broiler to low.
- Drain the endives. Wrap each endive with a slice of ham, and place into the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the endives. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese and parsley.
- Cook the endives under preheated broiler until cheese is golden brown and sauce bubbles, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.6 calories, Carbohydrate 20.4 g, Cholesterol 28.7 mg, Fat 10.1 g, Fiber 16 g, Protein 12.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 210.4 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
BELGIAN ENDIVE AU GRATIN
Belgian endive (called 'witloof' in Dutch or 'chicon' in Belgian French) has an ivory-white head with pale yellow-edged, closely wrapped leaves, a mildly bitter flavor, and tender juicy texture.
Provided by gaidgin
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Place the endives into the water. Cover, and cook until tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Place the butter into a saucepan, and melt over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and golden brown. Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture, whisking constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup Gruyere cheese, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until well blended. Cook gently over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Preheat an oven broiler to low.
- Drain the endives. Wrap each endive with a slice of ham, and place into the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the endives. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese and parsley.
- Cook the endives under preheated broiler until cheese is golden brown and sauce bubbles, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.6 calories, Carbohydrate 20.4 g, Cholesterol 28.7 mg, Fat 10.1 g, Fiber 16 g, Protein 12.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 210.4 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
Tips:
- Choose Belgian endives that are firm and have tightly closed leaves.
- To make the endives easier to wrap, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until they are slightly softened.
- Use a thin slice of ham for each endive so that it doesn't overpower the other flavors.
- If you don't have any Gruyère cheese, you can substitute another type of hard cheese, such as Parmesan or Cheddar.
- Serve the endives warm with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, such as mustard or mayonnaise.
Conclusion:
Belgian endive wrapped in ham with cheese is a classic appetizer or side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of salty ham, creamy cheese, and slightly bitter endives, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table.
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