Endive Salad

Sweet pear and creamy cheese enhance the slightly bitter flavor of endive in this salad. Despite growing from the leaves of the ancient chicory plant, endive itself was a happy accident from the 19th century. In 1830 a Belgian farmer stored chicory roots in his cellar, planning to dry and grind them for coffee. He was called away to serve in the Belgian War and upon returning found his chicory roots had sprouted small, white leaves that tasted delicious. After a Belgian botanist cultivated the plant, it was sold commercially and became so popular in France that it was referred to as “white gold.” In the United States, endive is grown only in California.

Recipe Servings: 2