Teresa's Recipes
Endive and Bacon Gratin
An exquisite blend of tender endive, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, this Endive and Bacon Gratin is an indulgence in every bite. With roots in classic French cuisine, this gratin combines the bitter taste of the endive with the savory delight of bacon, all enveloped in a velvety blanket of Gruyere and Parmesan cheese sauce; a testament to the culinary genius of traditional European cooking.
Ingredients
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup, grated Gruyere cheese
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4 strips, cooked and crumbled Bacon
- 6 heads, trimmed and cleaned Endive
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 6
- Dish Type: Main Course
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Sugar: 3g
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Trim the endive heads and remove any wilted outer leaves. Rinse under cold water to remove any grit.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cleaned endive and blanch for about 5 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Gradually whisk in the milk into the flour-butter mixture, avoiding any lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the grated Gruyere cheese until it is fully melted and incorporated. Season the cheese sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Arrange the cooked endive in a single layer in a baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
- Scatter the crumbled bacon and the grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Allow the gratin to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy while hot!
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add a crunchy topping like breadcrumbs or crushed croutons.
- The endive can be replaced with other bitter greens like radicchio or escarole if desired.