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Belgian Recipes

by Lou Seibert Pappas

introduction  |  dining  |  recipes


Here are specialties from Belgium. The Belgian Endive Marketing Board shares endive dishes.

Cream of Belgian Endive Soup
Makes 4 servings

2 Belgian endives, cored
1 white onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk or cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped chives
Dill sprigs for garnish

Mince the endives, reserving a few small leaves for garnish. Sauté the onion, garlic, and endives in the butter for 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and chicken broth and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.
Blend until smooth. Ad the milk, salt, and pepper and blend. Serve hot or cold garnish with chopped endive leaves, chives, and dill.

Leek and Potato Soup
Makes 6 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bunch leeks (white part only), sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups home-made or canned low-salt chicken broth
2 large golden or russet potatoes or 3/4 pound sunchokes, peeled and diced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon or 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
1/4 cup heavy cream or plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
Plain low-fat yogurt or sour cream for garnish

In a large saucepot, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onion, and leeks until soft. Add the garlic, chicken broth, potatoes or sunchokes, and tarragon and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Let cool slightly, then puree in a blender or a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Blend in the wine, if desired, and cream or yogurt. Serve hot or cold. Garnish with parsley and a dollop of yogurt or sour cream.

Braised Belgian Endive
Makes 4 servings

8 whole heads of Belgian endive, cored
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar

Slowly sauté the endive in butter in a shallow pan over a medium hot heat. Turn to cook both sides. Add the
other ingredients, cover the pan, and simmer on low for 25 minutes, adding a few drops of water if necessary.
Serve with meat, poultry, or game.

Steamed Mussels
Makes 3 to 4 entree servings or 12 first-course servings.

3 quarts mussels in the shell (about 4 pounds)
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 shallots or green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup minced parsley
Freshly ground black pepper
Melted butter

Soak the mussels for 30 minutes in salted water. Scrub the mussels well under cold running water with a stiff brush. In a large soup kettle, sauté the garlic and shallots in oil until soft, stirring. Add wine, parsley, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover, and simmer gently until the shells open, about 8 minutes; discard any that do not open. Spoon the mussels into soup bowls and ladle the broth over them. Pass the butter, if desired, for dipping the mussels.

Scallops and Endive with Pasta
Makes 4 servings

2 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pinch each of thyme, oregano, and basil
4 Belgian endive, cut up
1 1/2 pounds bay scallops
Splash of sherry
2 tablespoons butter
Basil sprigs for garnish
Hot cooked pasta, such as penne or fettuccine

Sauté the shallots and garlic in oil until the shallots are translucent. Add 3 cut up endive, tomatoes, scallops, spices, sherry, and butter. Sauté until the scallops are cooked through, about 5 minutes; remove from heat.
Add the reserved cut up endive and stir. Serve over cooked pasta. Garnish with basil.

Pine Nut and Chicory Salad
Makes 2 servings

About 2 cups torn chicory or frisee
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fresh chopped tarragon or 1/4 tsp. dried tarragon
1 shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or pistachios

Place the chicory in a medium bowl. In a 1-cup measure combine the oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper, tarragon, shallot, and nuts. Microwave on High 30 seconds to 1 minute or until hot. Toss with the chicory.

Flemish Beef Stew
Makes 6 servings

2 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper
2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut in 1 1/2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons butter and olive oil
4 medium onions, sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 bottle (12 oz.) dark beer
Beef stock
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a bag. Add the meat and shake well. Melt half the butter and oil and fry the onions until tender; do not brown. Remove the onions. Brown the meat on all sides in remaining oil and butter. Add the onions, herbs, and sugar. Pour the beer over. Add stock if needed to cover. Cook covered, over low heat for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender, adding more beer or stock if necessary. Just before serving add the vinegar. Serve with hot boiled potatoes and a green salad.

Streusel-Topped Apple Tart
Makes 8 servings

9 or 10-inch pastry-lined pan
10 large Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
Topping:
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Fit the pastry in the pan. Toss the apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix the topping until fine crumbs and scatter over. Bake in a preheated 425 degrees Farenheit oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake 30 minutes longer, covering the top with foil if it browns too much, or until apples are tender.
Serve with cream or ice cream.


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