This recipe is incredibly simple and in being so, is also incredibly good. I’ve been fortunate to receive several shipments of California endive, and fortunately, they last a good while in the refrigerator if stored properly. But I don’t like to let this fresh, healthy vegetable languish too long and I was racking my brains for something different to do with them. Of course, my brain went all fancy-schmancy, trying to think of gourmet dishes with lots of ingredients. But I have come to love endive for the simplicity of its flavour, the crispness, the slight bitterness, the nuttiness that comes out when it is cooked. I honestly can’t tell you the wherefors and the whys of how this recipe came to me. It just did, and I instantly recognized it as a good idea. Let’s face it, anything with browned butter is a good idea. And I just knew that the nuttiness of the sauce would complement the nuttiness of the caramelized endive.
The Results: Do I really need to give you a results section for this one? Really? Because as I said, anything with browned butter is a good idea. I’d bathe in browned butter if I could. But yes, this was an excellent, simple little dish and really a great way to showcase the caramelized endive. The sage got all nice and crispy, too, which was an unexpected bonus in my eyes. And oh, the browned butter. Really, it was heaven, picking up the endive with my fingers and practically sucking the sauce out from between the leaves. I could have eaten the whole recipe on my own. I didn’t offer it to my children at all, but my husband, who heretofore hasn’t been a huge fan of cooked endive, was fully enamoured of this recipe as well. A simple, fast, delicious side dish easy to make and immensely gratifying. Pair it with anything you want, I don’t care…just make it!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Discover Endive. All opinions expressed are mine.
Caramelized Endive with Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Caramelized Endive:
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 heads California Endive, halved lengthwise
Salt and pepper to taste
Brown Butter Sage Sauce:
3 tablespoon salted butter
8 to 10 fresh sage leaves
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the caramelized endive, heat oil in medium skillet over medium high heat until shimmering. Place endive in skillet, cut-side down and cook until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully turn endive and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, until tender. Remove from skillet to a platter and tent with foil.
For the sauce, melt butter and in skillet over medium heat. Add sage and cook until butter is browned and fragrant and sage is crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle over endive and sprinkle with grated parmesan. Serve immediately.
Jeanette says
Love the idea of caramelizing endive. I've only eaten it in salads.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I couldn't agree with you more, browned butter makes everything better. This sounds amazing.
claire says
What an incredible use for endive!! Love the brown butter!
Erin @ Dinners, Dish says
Oh Carolyn this sounds incredible! Love the browned butter and sage sauce! Perfect pairing with the Endive!
Choc Chip Uru says
Beautifully presented dish 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Kathy - Panini Happy says
I'd never thought about eating endive in this way, but it sounds so delicious!
acommunaltable says
There is definitely something to be said for the KISS principle – and this dish is proof of that!!! Brown butter and endive – simple and sublime!!
Rita Held says
Yumm! Endive has become a staple in my kitchen. I have year-round access to my backyard sage plant (living in Calif's mild climate). I even make browned butter sage and refrigerate it for later use. The sagey flavor is what I love, and don't have to have the crispy sage leaves.
Russell van K says
Such a scrumptious recipe! I am loving that brown butter sage sauce. Yum!
Suzi says
Definitely going to make this, I love endive and the brown butter sage sage, yumm.
Claudie says
Your sauce sounds delicious! It's great when a simple recipe can completely change an ingredient.
RavieNomNoms says
What a lovely dish. Looks so simple too. Thank you very much for sharing it!
Casey says
Hi Carolyn,
This is pure genius! Plus, I think you've discovered a whole new line of skin care products (Browned Butter Body Wash!). We eat a lot of endive too, and any recipe that is both delicious and simple is sure to become a favorite. Can't wait to try it!
Best,
Casey
Katrina112 says
Anything is delicious as long as it is combined with butter. The recipe is simple but the outcome is perfect and elegant. How I wish I could also do such things.VZ 58
Lora says
This looks scrumptious!
Brian says
Anything with brown butter is going to be incredible, but endive is going to be truly special. This looks amazing Carolyn! Thanks for the inspiration!
The_Mom_Chef says
I adore Belgian endive! It has such a unique, wonderful flavor. I've never had it caramelized and can only imagine how good that is. Your dish looks terrific. I guess I don't really have the same issue of coming up with new, fancy dishes since mine are dreamed up for me (lucky me). 🙂
Karen says
Oooh. I don't think I've ever had endive any way but fresh and I'm kicking myself now! This looks amazing, especially with the brown butter. I would bathe in it too if I could. SO good.
Bake Your Day says
This is my kind of side dish, Carolyn…simple but so elegant and delicious. I love this!
Liz says
Sometimes simple is best…and this simple dish packs a whollop of a punch! They sound marvelous!!!