Endive: The winter delight for health-conscious gourmets
Endive leaves are crispy and juicy with a delicate taste that includes noticeable bitter notes. Although some consider this bitterness a downside, it's worth trying, especially since it's in season. Add endive to salads or create a unique appetizer for your Mardi Gras gathering with friends.
Ideal for women
This biennial plant is cherished not only for its taste but also for its nutritional benefits. Endive leaves are a great source of many vitamins, including A, B1, B2, C, E, and K, as well as minerals like iron, selenium, zinc, calcium, and potassium. Endive is an excellent choice for those mindful of their weight, as it has a low-calorie content of only 31 calories per 100 grams.
Women, in particular, should include endive in their diet. It is rich in folic acid, which is crucial during pregnancy and helps maintain hormonal balance. Vitamin A enhances skin condition and strengthens hair and nails. Endive also supports weight loss, aiding digestion and detoxifying the body while lowering cholesterol levels.
What to prepare from it
Endive leaves can be used to make various delicious dishes, either raw or cooked, through baking or grilling. They pair well in salads with apples, pears, oranges and cheeses like feta or gorgonzola. Traditionally, endive roots are used to create a healthy coffee substitute, providing a unique alternative.
Useful for Mardi Gras
Endive can enhance other dishes with a vinaigrette sauce. Its firm leaves offer new taste experiences and look visually appealing on the plate, making it an excellent choice for Mardi Gras gatherings with friends. Stuffed endive boats will surely be a hit, disappearing quickly from the table. The recipe is quite simple, focusing on flavour contrasts.
Endive appetizer
Ingredients:
- 2–3 endives,
- pear, or optionally two tangerines,
- 85 grams of blue cheese,
- a handful of walnuts,
- 2 tablespoons honey,
- pepper to taste.
Preparation method:
- Cut the endives in half. Set aside the smallest middle leaves.
- Dice the pear and cheese.
- Toast the walnuts in a pan, then briefly sauté the pear.
- Add honey and cheese to the walnuts and pear, stirring until mixed—season with pepper to taste.
- Spoon the mixture into the endive boats.
