3-INGREDIENT MEALS: RICOTTA, ENDIVE & WINTER CITRUS (NAVEL & BLOOD ORANGE) - TWO WAYS

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We're back with another 3-ingredient meal where I show you how to make a delicious dish using 3-primary ingredients and a handful of staple pantry items.

Today it's Endive, Ricotta & Citrus as the primary ingredients. Your staple pantry items are salt, pepper, liquid sweetener (honey, agave, maple), and toasted salted nut (pistachio, almond, walnut, chestnut, hazelnut, hazelnut, pecans, etc.) Whatever you have on hand will do. And if you have it and are feeling fancy, a garnish of basil is optional but not required. It's more for visual presentation than anything.

This is the first time I have ever used Endive in a recipe! Can you believe it?

Endive (pronounced "ahn-deev") is a leafy vegetable that is a chicory family member. It is known for its slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture, and is often used in salads or as a garnish.

There are two main types of endive: Belgian endive and curly endive (also known as frisée). Belgian endive is a small, elongated, and pale vegetable that is grown in complete darkness to prevent it from turning green and becoming bitter. Curly endive, on the other hand, has curly, green leaves and a more pronounced bitterness than Belgian endive.

Endive is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. It is also low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy addition to any diet. Endive has a slightly bitter taste, which makes it a great ingredient to use in salads or as a garnish to balance out richer flavors. Some foods that pair well with endive include:

1. Citrus fruits: The acidity and sweetness of citrus fruits, such as oranges or grapefruit, can complement the bitterness of endive.

2. Creamy cheeses: The creamy and rich flavors of cheeses like blue cheese, ricotta or goat cheese can offset the bitterness of endive.

3. Nuts: The crunch and nutty flavor of nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, can add a nice contrast to endive in a salad.

4. Prosciutto: The saltiness of prosciutto can contrast well with the bitterness of endive.

5. Avocado: The creaminess of avocado can provide a nice balance to the crunchiness of endive in a salad.

6. Grilled vegetables: Grilled vegetables like zucchini or eggplant can add a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to complement endive's bitterness.

Overall, endive pairs well with various flavors and ingredients, so don't be afraid to experiment and try different combinations.

INGREDIENTS:

PRIMARY INGREDIENTS:

2 endives

8 oz Ricotta

citrus of choice, I used 1 navel orange & 2 blood oranges, peeled and sliced

STAPLE PANTRY ITEMS:

honey (agave or maple also works)

pistachios, roasted & salted (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts also work)

salt

pepper

basil for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Add ricotta to a bowl and mix with some salt and pepper to taste.

For the salad, spread out half the ricotta cheese in a wide bowl or plate, add the endive leaves, and layer in the sliced citrus. Then drizzle with honey (or liquid sweetener of choice), add the crushed pistachios (or salted roasted nut of choice), and garnish with basil. Sprinkle with more salt and pepper.

For the appetizer, spread a small amount of ricotta in each Endive leaf, then top with a piece or two of the sliced citrus. Lay out on a plate, drizzle with honey, top with nuts, and garnish with basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

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