Endive Gratin with Ham and Gruyere Cheese
- 8 endives, intact but cored
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 slices low-sodium ham
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- Freshly cracked black pepper, for seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 8 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
- Special Equipment: Steaming basket
- Serving Suggestion: French baguette, sliced
- Preheat oven to 350 to 375 degrees F.
- In a large pot fitted with a steaming basket, bring 1-inch of water to a boil.
- Place the endives in the basket, cover, and let cook until very soft, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a colander and let drain, pushing down on the endives with a clean kitchen towel until as much of the water as possible has been expelled.
- Do not mush the endives!
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
- When the foam has subsided, add the endives and cook, turning occasionally, until brown and caramelized on all surfaces.
- Remove from heat and wrap each endive in 1 slice of the ham.
- Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- When the foam has subsided whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute, being careful not to brown the flour.
- Whisk in the milk in a slow, steady stream.
- Bring to a boil whisking constantly, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes.
- Season with a generous amount of pepper and the nutmeg.
- Spread about 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish, then arrange the ham-wrapped endives on top in a single layer.
- Cover with the remaining sauce and the cheese.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes.
- Turn on the broiler, transfer the pan to the top rack, and broil until the cheese has patches of golden goodness - about 2 minutes.
- Serve hot with generous amounts of sauce and baguette slices.
endives, butter, ham, flour, milk, freshly cracked black pepper, nutmeg, gruyere cheese
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/endive-gratin-with-ham-and-gruyere-cheese-recipe.html (may not work)