Curly endive or frisée Belgian endive Radicchio Escarole
Sometimes, you can find it for sale in warmer months, but chicory thrives during the winter.
You can use store bought chicory roots or forage for them, although chicory roots grow deep in compacted soil, so this can be a workout. Brewing chicory root coffee is a good way to help you reduce coffee consumption.
If your oven runs hot, drop the oven temperature to 200 °F (93 °C).
Add a spoonful of chicory powder to smoothies or granola bars if you want extra fiber. Not only is chicory root caffeine-free, but it contains prebiotics that helps keep your gut bacteria healthy. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Store the ground chicory root in an airtight container in the fridge or pantry for up to 1 year.
Use any type of chicory—radicchio adds a little crunch, frisée looks beautiful in a mixed salad, and escarole looks like lettuce but adds a slightly peppery taste. Make a garden salad with chicory to go with fish or roast chicken—the salad really complements these dishes. Start by adding a small amount, since the bitterness might be too much for some tastes.
Squeeze a little lemon juice and scatter fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro over the salad to add brightness.
The mild creaminess of avocado balances out the bitter component of chicory while the grapefruit brings out its bittersweet flavors.
Try a balsamic or Dijon mustard vinaigrette. If you enjoy fruity flavors, raspberry vinaigrette would be good, too! For a fancier presentation, add a few whole leaves of Belgian endive.
To remove even more bitterness, drain the water and repeat the process 1 or 2 more times. Add the blanched chicory to a salad or cook with them—sauté, stir fry, or roast chicory that you’ve blanched.
Flavor the sautéed chicory with your favorite seasonings. In addition to the classic salt and pepper, you could use red chili flakes, curry powder, or ginger. Add sautéed chicory to scrambled eggs for a healthy boost to your breakfast plate. Don’t forget to add chopped red onions and garlic for even more flavor. Try sautéed chicory in grain bowls for a nutritious way to add greens to your meal.
Add any ingredients you like to the braising liquid—add a little garlic and lemon juice, or replace the liquid with white wine.
Chicory is delicious when you wrap it with ham or cover it with a creamy white sauce before you roast it. [16] X Research source
Cooked chicory still has a slightly bitter earthy taste to it, but blanching it more than once or adding sweeter elements like honey dressing can cut back on the bitterness.
Keep in mind that more tender varieties of chicory, like escarole, can wilt more quickly than hardier chicory such as radicchio.
