Winter Fresh Endive Boats

Whenever I'm in need of a light bite to add to my appetizer table, I immediately think of endive. Their scoop-like leaves make a perfect boat to float a variety of fillings plus super easy to pick up and eat.  

A couple of weeks ago just such a heavy appetizer menu gave way for the endive to make an appearance and bring some freshness to the party.  Since I wasn't originally thinking of serving endive boats, I wasn't sure what the filling would be this time.  A quick glance around the kitchen revealed a few fresh, clean items raising their hands saying "Pick Me! Pick Me!" 

The "Pick Me" ingredients ready to do their part

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Pink Grapefruit (originally slated for the citrus martini)

  • 1/2 large Avocado (just because JC wanted some in the house after our Chile trip)

  • 1/3 c shaved Fennel (because I was serving it in another dish)

  • 1 Scallion (because I always have some in the house)

  • 1/3 c Pomegranate seeds (Left over from another event)

  • 2 Endive, leaves separated (I cut the end to get a clean edge)

  • 1-2 tbsp minced red onion

  • 1 tsp grapefruit juice

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tsp olive oil

  • salt

Instructions:

I segmented the grapefruit.  Cut the avocado into small chunks. Shaved the fennel, chopped the scallions, minced the onion, added the pomegranate seeds, then added a touch of grapefruit juice, a squeeze of lemon juice, 2 pinches of salt and an ever so slight drizzle of olive oil.  Lightly tossed and filled the endive leaves.  As an added touch, I chopped and sprinkled the fennel frounds on top.
And there you have it, a fresh medley of flavors to float this boat.  

P.S. for a tad more plate decor, when I was segmenting the grapefruit I sliced the ends off leaving a bit of pulp to use as a center plate adornment.  I also saved the middle of the endive, whose leaves are too small to fill but make for a nice little torch-like finishing touch.

How it appeared on the party table

I have several other ways to fill endive leaves.  Look for the future post entitled "Endless Endive".

 

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