Baked Pancetta-Wrapped Endive made with Temecula Olive Oil Company’s (seasonal) Rotture di Oro Fall Harvest Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Ingredients
- 18 paper-thin slices pancetta
- 9 heads Belgian endive
- 4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons Rotture di Oro Olive Oil
- Sea salt & fresh ground pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Optional, lemon wedges
Baked Pancetta-Wrapped Endive
Preparation
Trim stem side of each endive head being careful not to separate the leaves and cut lengthwise into quarters. Position a rack in the upper part of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot full of salted water to a boil. Add 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice and the endive quarters and cook for one minute.
Transfer endive quarters to paper towels to drain then place in a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of Rotture di Oro Olive Oil. Toss well season with salt & pepper. Working with one endive quarter at a time, wrap a piece of pancetta around it encircling it in a spiral pattern. Arrange the wrapped endives in a single layer in a baking dish allowing ample space between them. Bake until the endives are tender when pierced with a knife and the pancetta begins to crisp on the edges, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of Rotture di Oro olive oil and the garlic. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
To serve, place the endive quarters on a warmed platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Serve hot or warm, garnished with lemon wedges.
Yield: Serves 6
