A Side to End All Sides: Maple Roasted Endive

Chow on 11.23.11

Photos: Adam & Joanne Gallagher

By Adam & Joanne Gallagher of InspiredTaste for SteamyKitchen.

Here is a perfect side to roasted turkey or chicken that takes less than 10 minutes to prep and about 20 minutes to roast. The combination of bitter endive and sweet, smoky maple syrup is perfect for a hearty fall or winter meal.

You could even make this recipe with carrots or parsnips, too! If you do, peel the parsnips and/or carrots and cook in boiling water until the crunch is gone and they start to become tender, then follow the recipe as shown below, just add the partially cooked carrots/parsnips to the baking sheet with endive.

Halve the endives. Depending on the size, you may want to cut them into four, which is what we ended up doing. Remove some of the core from each half or quarter — this is an extra step, but the core can be quite bitter.

endive

Next, add 2 tablespoons of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil to a small saucepan over medium heat. (You could use 3 tablespoons of butter; we just like the combination for flavor.)

endive

Add two tablespoons of real maple syrup to the butter and olive oil. If you don’t have maple syrup, just substitute honey.

endive

Now add a 1/4-teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of fresh chopped thyme leaves. Stir everything together and remove from the heat.

endive

Arrange the endive onto a baking sheet; make sure everything is in one layer. Now, pour the warmed mixture all over the endive halves (or quarters). Then, bake in a 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes until tender and the edges start to brown.

endive

Maple Roasted Endive Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 3-4 servings

Ingredients:
6 medium-sized Belgian endives
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons real maple syrup
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Method:
1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.    Halve the endives or if large, cut them lengthwise into four then remove as much of the core as possible (the core can be bitter). Arrange endive into one layer on a baking sheet.
3.    In a small saucepan, heat butter, olive oil, maple syrup, thyme and salt until bubbling. Then, pour over endive and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until tender and the edges begin to brown.