4 heads Belgian endive
4 slices cooked ham
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cups milk
3/4 cup grated Gruyere or Emmenthal cheese
1/4 cup grated Gruyere or Emmenthal cheese
seasoning: salt - pepper - nutmeg
Preparation
Trim the bottom of the endive heads and if necessary, remove the outer leaves. Cook in boiling salted water or steam them for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain well, squeeze them to remove any remaining water and wrap each head of endive in a slice of ham. Put into a baking dish.
Prepare the sauce while the endive is cooking.
Heat the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for two minutes. Remove from heat and blend in the milk. Stir over a low heat until thickened, add seasoning .
Add the 3/4 cup of cheese to the sauce, pour over the wrapped endives.
Cover with cheese sauce and place in a 350 degrees F oven for about 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and brown.
You may brown it under the broiler for a minute or two if you wish. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
