Endive Gratin with Bacon

Name: Endive Gratin with Bacon
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 large endives (trimmed and halved lengthwise); 4 slices bacon (chopped); 1 cup Gruyère cheese (grated); 1 cup milk (whole); 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted); 1 pinch nutmeg (freshly grated); to taste salt and pepper

60 min 4 servings Medium

All Recipes

Endive Gratin with Bacon

A comforting endive gratin with crispy bacon, perfect as a side dish or a light main.

Prep

20 min

Cook

40 min

Total

60 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

Endive Gratin with Bacon is a delightful dish that combines the slight bitterness of endives with the smoky, savoury notes of bacon. This classic French recipe is often enjoyed as a side dish but can also serve as a light main course. The dish is simple yet elegant, making it a perfect addition to any meal. The creamy cheese sauce envelops the tender endives, creating a harmonious blend of flavours that highlights the balance between the earthiness of the endives and the richness of the bacon.

Ingredients

Servings

Main Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Blanch the Endives

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the endives and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.

Pro tip: Blanching helps to reduce the bitterness of the endives.

Cook the Bacon

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.

Pro tip: Cook the bacon until it's crispy for extra crunch.

Make the Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce thickens. Stir in nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Pro tip: Whisk continuously to prevent lumps.

Assemble the Gratin

Arrange the blanched endives in a baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the endives, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle with Gruyère cheese and bacon.

Bake the Gratin

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

Pro tip: Check the gratin after 20 minutes to ensure it doesn't over-brown.

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Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Choose firm, fresh endives for the best texture.</li><li>Blanching the endives helps reduce bitterness.</li><li>Use a sharp cheese like Gruyère for extra flavour.</li><li>Cook bacon until crispy for added crunch.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Endive Gratin with Bacon alongside roast chicken or pork for a complete meal. It's also delicious with a simple green salad and a glass of white wine. To make ahead, you can prepare the gratin up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake it just before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.