Have you ever heard of the endive? This vegetable is not well known among us, but it is a great food that gives us fiber and iron, among other nutrients. Now, it is the best season for this rich vegetable. Do you want to know more about this edible from Belgian origin? Pay attention!
La cichorium endive
Botanically known as cichorium endive, this food is a small whitish bud which has a yellowish tip. Its flavor is something bitter and it is perfect as an aperitif, it is also usually served with anchovies, cheese or ham. Season spring It is the best time to consume it, although its production is very sustained throughout the year, finding it easily in markets throughout Spain, being very popular in the fields of Segovia, Valladolid and Navarra.
What can it bring you?
This vegetable can provide proteins e carbohydrates necessary for the proper functioning of your body. It is also rich in fiber, necessary to combat constipation and regulate intestinal transit; on potassium, essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system; and in iron, which prevents the appearance of anemia.
Likewise, the endive is a diuretic food, that helps to purify liquids, and its content in Vitamins provides antioxidants that regulate blood circulation and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Many people, due to its diuretic properties and its high fiber content, use it to lose weight, but evidently it is not a miracle food, although it can, for example, help you increase the flow of urine.
Incredible endive recipes
Although the endives are usually consumed at natural, there are some delicious recipes you can create with this crisp and fresh food. However, you have to bear in mind that, although they hold moderately well for several days out of the refrigerator, it is better to consume them immediately, once removed, and, if not, do not cut, wash or separate them until the moment of consumption.
The first example of a delicious and simple dish to create are endives au gratin with ham. For this recipe you only need endives, ham, butter, wheat flour, milk, onion, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, lemon and a chicken stock cube.
The steps to follow are also simple and easy for anyone who loves the kitchen or not. First you have to cut the hard part of the stem of the endives and wash them well. Then bring water to a boil, where you will add the lemon juice, the chicken stock cube and the endives for 20 minutes. After this step you have to cut them horizontally and place them in a buttered container.
After the first part of this recipe, tap Melt the butter in a saucepan to immediately add the finely chopped onion and let it fry for a couple of minutes to add the wheat flour. Later, you have to stir everything and add the milk. Finally, you only have put the slices of cooked ham on the endives, cover them with the white sauce, sprinkle breadcrumbs and bake them at 180º for 25 minutes.
In addition to as an appetizer or as a main dish, you can also take advantage of the endive as dessert, just adding the fruit that you like the most. In our case we recommend the endives stuffed with apple and avocado. For this final recipe you only need the endive leaves that will be used as a tray and an apple, an avocado, sugar, coriander, a natural yogurt and lime juice. Follow the process that is incredibly easy to do.
First, sprinkle the previously peeled and sliced fruit with lime juice. Then beat the yogurt and add a teaspoon of sugar. Finally, it only remains to fill the bench with the apple, the avocado, the sweetened yogurt and a little sprinkled coriander. And… ready to serve!
This Herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family is a very accessible luxury. You can find it in any supermarket or greengrocer with a very affordable price. In addition, it is an easy food to take and to prepare, perfect for any moment or occasion. What are you waiting to buy endive now that it's in season and repeat the recipes What have we proposed to you?
