Braised Endives With Orange Food

BRAISED ENDIVES WITH ORANGE, TOASTED ALMONDS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat in a large, heavy nonstick or cast-iron skillet. When the oil is hot, place the endives in the skillet cut side down (work in batches if necessary) and sear until very lightly browned. Turn the heat to medium-low, add the vinegar and salt to taste, cover and braise for three to five minutes until the endives are tender. Transfer the contents of the pan to a large bowl, and toss with the remaining olive oil, half the chives or mint, and the almonds. Set aside.
• Hold the orange above a bowl while you peel away the skin and white pith from top to bottom using a paring knife. Angle the knife so that it cuts away the pith with the skin. Cut away the sections from between the membranes, then cut these sections in half lengthwise to get thin slices.
• Arrange the endive mixture on salad plates. Pour the juice from the bowl over the endives. Garnish with the orange slices. Place spoonfuls of ricotta on the plate and atop the salad. Sprinkle on the remaining herbs, drizzle on the hazelnut or walnut oil, and serve.

BRAISED ENDIVES WITH ORANGE

Steps:

• Grate 1/2 teaspoon zest from orange, then squeeze juice. Set aside.
• Cut out a round of parchment paper to fit just inside a 12-inch heavy skillet and butter one side of parchment.
• Trim end of each endive and halve lengthwise. Arrange, cut sides down, in 1 layer in 12-inch skillet. Add broth, zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons butter, cut into bits. Cover endives with parchment, buttered side down. Simmer until tender and liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Preheat broiler.
• While endives braise, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Stir together with bread crumbs, five-spice powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Add cream to endives and cook, uncovered, over medium heat, swirling, until thickened, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and swirl in 1 tablespoon orange juice. Arrange endives cut sides up with sauce in a lightly buttered 1 1/2- to 2-quarts shallow baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with crumbs and broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

BRAISED ENDIVES WITH BLOOD ORANGES, PISTACHIOS, AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• For the garnish: In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs, orange zest, garlic and parsley; set aside.
• For the endives: Season endives with salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt butter with olive oil. Place endives in pan cut side down. Once endive starts to lightly brown, about 5 minutes, add wine and reduce by three-quarters, another 4 to 5 minutes. As the wine begins to reduce, test endive for tenderness. Once the endive is tender, remove and transfer to a plate. Pat dry, cover, and set aside.
• When the wine is reduced, add orange juice and sugar. Turn up heat and reduce to a thick, shining syrup, stirring frequently. Lower temperature to medium-high, add pistachios and orange segments, and heat for 1 minute.
• Uncover endives, and transfer to two warmed plates. Garnish with bread crumb mixture. Pour orange syrup with the pistachios and oranges over the endive. Top with thin shavings of ricotta salata, and serve.

BRAISED ENDIVE

Steps:

• In a skillet large enough to hold endive in one layer, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add endive, and cook, turning occasionally, until brown all over, about 7 minutes.
• Cover with a parchment-paper round, and then a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to very low, and cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

BRAISED ENDIVE WITH ORANGE

Steps:

• Combine stock, orange juice, liqueur, salt, and pepper in a large, shallow, nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a boil, and add endive. Cover endive with cheesecloth to keep it submerged, reduce heat to medium low, and cover; simmer until tender, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer endive to a plate, and cover with cheesecloth to keep warm. Continue simmering liquid until syrupy and slightly thick, about 20 minutes.
• Slice heads of endive in half lengthwise; add to syrup. Add orange slices, and toss to coat. Toss again, and serve.