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Vegetarian, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Braised endives with mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs

Braised endives with mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs is a complete dish for 4 people, ready in 55 minutes, at €1.60 per serving, and rated easy. The trick is slow braising the endives with a touch of sugar, which softens their bitterness and lets them caramelize, plus cooling the eggs in ice water so they stay soft and peel cleanly.

Tonight, caramelized braised endives, creamy mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs, a gentle, comforting dinner.

Braised endives with mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs
Total time
55 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
440 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Braised endives turn golden and slightly sweet, a nice contrast to their natural bitterness. Butter and a touch of caramelized sugar soften their fibers as they slowly melt under the lid. The mash made with warm milk brings softness, and the soft boiled eggs add a runny yolk that ties the whole plate together.

This is a weeknight dinner that feels comforting without any fuss, perfect when evenings get shorter and you crave winter vegetables. Kids who usually turn their nose up at endives often accept this caramelized, melting version more easily. Mon Chou likes this dish for its simplicity, three well cooked elements are enough to make a warming meal.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Endives 8
  • Potatoes 900 g

Dairy

  • Eggs 6
  • Butter 80 g
  • Milk 15 cl

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Lemon juiceoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Trim the bitter core from the base of the endives, then brown them whole in half the butter. 10 min

    Cut out only a small cone at the base, not more, they hold together better.

  2. Add the sugar, lemon juice, salt, a glass of water, cover and let braise. 30 min

    Turn the endives halfway through cooking so they caramelize on both sides.

  3. Cook the peeled potatoes in salted water, then mash them with the warm milk, the remaining butter and the nutmeg. 20 min

    The milk needs to be warm, otherwise the mash turns gluey.

  4. Cook the eggs in boiling water, then cool them in cold water and peel them. 6 min

    Drop them into cold water, the shell comes off in one go.

  5. Arrange the endives on the mash, add the eggs halved, and spoon over the cooking juices.

    Add the pepper at the very last minute, the aroma is much sharper.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm, pale endives, the yellowed or greenish leaves tend to be more bitter.
  • Drain the braised endives well before plating, otherwise their juice waters down the mash.
  • Make the mash right before serving, it loses its creaminess if it sits too long.

The variations

  • Swap the potatoes for celery root mash for a softer, more fragrant flavor.
  • Wrap each endive in a slice of ham before serving for a heartier version.
  • For a quicker kid friendly version, halve the endives before braising, they cook faster.

What to serve it with

  • A slice of toasted country bread
  • A green salad with vinaigrette
  • A glass of sparkling apple juice

Storage

The braised endives and mash keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Soft boiled eggs are best eaten the same day. Reheat gently in a pan or saucepan, and cook fresh eggs if needed.

Questions about this dish

How do you remove the bitterness from endives?

Cut out a small cone at the base of each endive before cooking, that's where the bitterness concentrates. The sugar added during braising softens the flavor even more.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can braise the endives and make the mash a few hours ahead, then reheat gently. Cook the soft boiled eggs at the last minute to keep the yolk runny.

Can you swap the endives for another vegetable?

Braised fennel works well with the same method and cooking time. Roasted cauliflower is another option, though it won't be quite as tender.

How do you get soft boiled eggs right every time?

Count 6 minutes in boiling water from the moment you drop the eggs in. Cool them immediately in ice water to stop the cooking and make peeling easier.

How long does it take to make braised endives with mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs?

Count 55 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in braised endives with mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs?

About 440 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does braised endives with mashed potatoes and soft boiled eggs cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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