Best Fried Endive Spears Recipes

WHIPPED CHEESE ENDIVE SPEARS WITH CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND PICKLED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Put the jalapenos in a small bowl. Heat the vinegar, sugar, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour the liquid over the jalapenos and refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lay the prosciutto on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake until a few shades darker and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain (they will crisp more as they cool).
• Separate the endives into leaves, keeping 16 nicely-sized leaves (discard the remaining or reserve for another use).
• Beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, parsley, chives, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a separate bowl.
• With a spoon, dollop the cheese mixture onto the endive leaves, leaving the base of the stem bare so that they can be picked up easily. Break the prosciutto into small pieces and put a piece on each endive. Put a pickled pepper on each and arrange decoratively on a platter.

FRIED PICKLE SPEARS

Steps:

• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with about 2 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, paprika and 1 tablespoon of the hot sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Whisk together the milk, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons hot sauce, a large pinch of salt and a generous amount of black pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Fill a 10-inch-tall cup (such as a quart container) about three-quarters of the way with the batter.
• Thread an 8-inch wooden skewer lengthwise through each pickle spear so it resembles a corn dog. Working with 2 to 3 pickles at a time, hold the end of the skewers and dip the pickles into the batter to completely coat. Pull the pickles out of the batter (you may need to hold onto the end of the pickles so the skewers don't fall out), immediately transfer to the oil and fry until the batter puffs up and turns a deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pickles to a paper towel-lined plate; sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the remaining pickles and batter, making sure to bring the oil back up to temperature between each batch. Serve with the spicy mayo dip.

PAN-ROASTED ENDIVE

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 halved heads endive cut-side down; season with salt. Cook until browned and softened, turning once, about 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon sugar and a pinch of salt. Simmer, turning to coat, until syrupy, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle with chives.

ENDIVE SPEARS WITH STILTON CHEESE, TOASTED PECANS, AND SAUTEED PEARS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the butter and sugar. Add the diced pears and cook until well caramelized, approximately 8 minutes.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, fresh ground pepper and olive oil. Add the mixture to the Stilton. Assemble the spears 1 by 1, starting with the cheese then the sauteed pear and topping them off with a toasted pecan. These can be garnished with a sprig of watercress or other herb, if desired. Arrange the spears on a plate by first making a small mound of cream cheese and then sticking each spear into the cream cheese in a floral, 3-dimensional pattern.

ASIAN-STYLE CUCUMBER SPEARS

Steps:

• Trim the ends of the cucumbers and cut each one in half lengthwise. Place in a bowl, add the salt, and toss to coat. Let stand for 1 hour at room temperature. Transfer to a colander, rinse lightly under cold running water, drain, and place in a bowl.
• Prepare dressing: In a wok or heavy saucepan set over moderate heat, heat sesame oil until hot. Add the red pepper flakes and cook, stirring 15 seconds. Add ginger, garlic, vinegar, and honey and stir-fry 30 seconds. Off heat, add cucumber and toss to coat. Transfer to a bowl, let cool and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight. Cucumbers will keep for up to one week.

SAUTéED ENDIVE WITH BALSAMIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Add endive halves, cut side down, and sear on medium-high heat for a couple of minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown but still somewhat firm in the middle. Salt to taste, transfer to a serving dish and tent with foil to keep warm.
• Simmer vinegar in a small saucepan for about a minute. Remove from heat and whisk in butter bit by bit. Whisk in sugar and, if desired, some salt and pepper.
• Drizzle some of the balsamic butter on endives, strew with marjoram and dust with pepper. Serve. Remaining balsamic butter can be refrigerated for future use.

ENDIVE SPEARS STUFFED WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cream the goat cheese with the back of a kitchen spoon. Add the cream, rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, and pepper and mix until smooth and creamy. Add more cream if the cheese is particularly thick. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Bring to room temperature before assembling.
• Core the endive and separate into spears. Spoon the filling into 20 endive spears, filling each spear about halfway. Assemble on a plate and sprinkle with the paprika, if using. Cover and refrigerate.

STUFFED ENDIVE SPEARS

Steps:

• Combine first seven ingredients mix well.
• Trim ends of endive and separate heads into spears.
• Spread cheese mixture on endive spears.
• Serve immediately or cover and chill up to 2 hours before serving.
• Garnish with basil sprigs.