I’m a strong believer that vegetables can be the most exciting part of any meal. You just have to get creative. If there was ever an underrated vegetable, it’s chicory. It’s wonderful woody and slightly bitter flavor brings so much to the plate. Plus, chicory is incredibly versatile. Try it in a simple grilled chicory salad, or as a caramelized side dish to your favorite grilled meats. Fall in love with veggies again with these tasty chicory recipes!
1. Sauteed Chicory Greens
Looking for a fast and easy side dish? These sauteed chicory greens should definitely become your new go-to. Sauteed in olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of salt, these simple greens pack so much flavor. There’s no need to hide their tasty woodiness behind sauces and spices. And this only takes 12 minutes to cook up. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
2. Caramelised Chicory with Orange and Thyme
This caramelized chicory with orange and thyme perfectly balances bitter and sweet flavors. Chicory has crisp, tightly packed leaves and a delicate, slightly bitter flavor. This is why it works so wonderfully in this side dish. Pair these delicious greens with grilled meats, fish, or even hearty stews. It’s the ultimate side dish.
3. Braised Chicory Three Ways
What’s better than one tasty chicory recipe? Three of course! Try each one of these braised chicory recipes and pick out your favorite. Braising the chicory brings out their natural nuttiness. And with three options to try, there’s plenty to get excited about! Dig into chicory that’s cooked under the grill with blue cheese and walnuts. Serve up roasted chicory with cannellini beans. Or try chicory on the hob with fennel, lemon, and pine nuts.
4. Grilled Chicory Salad With Chile-Fennel Dressing
Ditch your usual boring romaine lettuce salad. Give this delicious grilled chicory salad a go instead. By grilling the chicory, their sharpness starts to mellow. They develop a subtle sweetness and nutty flavor. The outer leaves start to caramelize, turning smoky. Pair their bold flavor with a punchy dressing for something sensational. This recipe’s spicy serrano chili-based dressing is just the ticket.
5. Grilled Chicory (Endive) with Feta and Hazelnuts
Chicory definitely doesn’t get enough love. Turn your dinner guests onto their next favorite veggie with this grilled chicory recipe. Chicory, also known as endive, is pan-fried to sweet perfection. It’s then dressed in a balsamic glaze and topped with crumbled feta and toasted hazelnuts. So simple. So delicious.
6. Bar Tartine’s Chicory Salad with Anchovy Dressing
This crisp, bitter and sweet garden green salad comes from the bright minds at Bar Tartine. The bitterness of chicories means they stand up well to a powerful and punchy dressing. This salad is also great to make ahead of time, as the leaves stay firm and don’t wilt. Mixed together with daikon radishes, fennel, green onions, and an anchovy-based dressing, every bite is sensational.
7. Chicory Caesar Salad
If you love Caesar salads, you’ll love this version packed full of chicory. This bright, zippy salad is coated in a punchy anchovy-lemon vinaigrette. This vibrant salad adds a serious pop of color to your table. Perfect for summer, great for lunch, and delicious when paired with just about anything. Yum!
8. Braised Chicory Gratin with Gruyère
Bathed in a garlicky mustard cream sauce, this braised chicory gratin with gruyere is a cheese lover’s dream. This creamy, dreamy dish makes chicory the star of the show. That delicious veggie is braised in white wine to become ultra-soft and succulent. Serve with a light salad and some crusty bread for the perfect meal. It even pairs beautifully with a hearty steak.
9. Chicory Gratin with Ham and Cheese Sauce
Salty ham, tender chicory, and a luscious, cheesy cream sauce. What’s not to love? The best part is it only takes 35 minutes. It’s perfect for a mid-week comfort meal. One taste of this cheesy dream, and you’ll be hooked. It truly is an indulgent dish you just can’t say no to.
10. Chicory Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan
Break free from your salad rut with this wonderful chicory salad. It’s nutrient-packed and mind-blowingly delicious. And it comes together in only 7 minutes! Now, that’s pretty impressive if you ask me. What’s more impressive is just how simple and fresh this dish tastes. An easy mustard and vinegar dressing coats chicory, parmesan, and roasted walnuts. Yum.
11. Passatelli in Broth with Chicken and Chicory
Passatelli is a pasta made from parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs. It’s a tasty alternative to your average spaghetti. Packed with chicken, chicory, and homemade pasta, this dish covers all the bases. It’s a one-pot meal that’s bursting with warm flavors. Chicory leaves had a lovely bulk of veggie goodness. They become amazingly tender as they simmer in the chicken broth.
12. Chicken Breast and Sautéed Chicory in Marsala Sauce
This simple chicken and chicory in marsala sauce recipe only needs 10 ingredients. Hearty, savory, and packed with tender chicory, this is the ultimate meal. And it’s so quick to make, which is great news for those with busy schedules. The marsala wine creates the most wonderful glossy, sweet sauce. You won’t be able to get enough of it!
13. Grilled Chicory with Goat Cheese from the Oven
When I’m in need of a tasty veggie side dish, this oven-grilled chicory with goat cheese hits the spot every time. The outer chicory leaves become lovely and caramelized in the oven. It adds a wonderful smokiness that pairs deliciously with the creamy goat cheese. Pair this delicious veggie side dish with your favorite grilled meats, fish, or pasta. It practically goes with anything!
14. Rump Steak and Chicory Salad
Not every salad has to be served chilled. Warm salads are some of my favorites. And this juicy rump steak and chicory salad is exactly why. The tender, meaty rump steak pairs deliciously with grilled chicory. And once it’s all coated in a walnut oil and vinegar dressing, every bite is irresistible. Perfect for summer, this warm salad is bound to become your new favorite lunch. I know it’s mine!
15. Steak Salad with Chicory
This dish pairs bitter chicory leaves with sweet apples and caramelized onions. Producing the most wonderful balance to this warm salad. And don’t even get me started on the juicy, tender slices of steak that make this salad a thing of beauty. Salads are exciting again! And it’s all thanks to nutty chicory and succulent steak.
16. Chicory Salad with Pickled Squash
You can thank Chefs Jaret Foster and Mona Johnson, of Tournant catering for this stunning salad. This bright and tart salad is the perfect counterpoint to a rich Thanksgiving meal. Parsley is tossed with chicory, pickled winter squash, and an apple cider vinaigrette. This creates the perfect palate-cleansing acidity. It’s everything you could want in a side salad.
17. Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Chicory Salad
This simple blue cheese, walnut, and chicory salad makes for the perfect lunch or side salad. You can have this easy-peasy salad on the table in just 15 minutes. This means you spend more time focusing on your main dish or chilling out. This recipe uses Roquefort cheese, but you can use any kind of blue cheese you like. It’s guaranteed to be hit.
18. Beet, Citrus & Chicory Salad
Now, this beet, citrus, and chicory salad is the ultimate eye-catching centerpiece. Exploding with colors and fresh flavors, it’s bound to liven up any lunchtime or dinner time. There are sweet segments of citrus. There’s grassy olive oil. And there’s plenty of milky ricotta and toasted pistachios. Perfection!
19. Chicory with Beetroot and Feta
Looking to branch out from your same old leafy green salads? This chicory with beetroot and feta is a brilliant and creative way to get in the veggies. Raw chicory leaves are loaded with sweet beetroot, crumbled feta, and walnut oil. The chicory leaves act like edible spoons, making this salad a fantastic finger food. Grab one and dig in!
20. Chicory Soup
On cold winter nights, there’s nothing I love more than a warming bowl of vegetable soup. It’s hearty, filling, and oh-so-delicious. You’ll want to lick the bowl clean. That’s a guarantee. A drizzle of parsley oil takes this soup to the next level. Hot tip: if you like, you can finely chop a small bit of chicory for garnish. The crunchy parts will also make this soup even more delicious!
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