Good Things to Serve with Endive

Tapenade

3 (8-ounce) cans of pitted black olives, drained
3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 heads endive (about 1/2 pound)


In the bowl of a food processor, add the olives, sun-dried tomatoes and the olive oil it was packed in. Pulse until smooth, but still chunky. Add more extra-virgin olive oil if mixture is too dry. Spoon into a serving bowl. If not serving immediately, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 days. Be sure to bring it to room temperature and to mix it thoroughly before serving. Gently pull off the leaves from the endive, being carefully not to tear the leaves. Wash thoroughly with cold water and dry completely.

Place the bowl of tapenade in the center of a large platter. Decoratively arrange the endive leaves around the tapenade bowl.


Crab Salad

6 ounces lump white crab meat, broken into small pieces with your fingertips
1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 orange, zested
3 radishes, grated
3 tablespoons chopped celery greens
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons heavy cream
24 endive leaves
Chopped parsley or chives, to garnish

Put the crab in a medium bowl, and add the bell pepper, shallot, orange zest, grated radish, celery greens, salt, and pepper. Combine the mayonnaise and heavy cream in a small bowl. Add the dressing to the crab and mix well. Using a rounded spoonful, mound the crab salad onto the root end of the endive and fill the leaves half the length of the endive. Arrange the stuffed endive on a platter and garnish with chopped parsley or chives.