WHITE BEAN PUREE ON ENDIVE

White Bean Puree on Endive image

Provided by Patricia Heaton

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint, plus about 24 small leaves, for garnish
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus juice of 1/2 lemon
3 to 4 Belgian endives

Steps:

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, broth, sugar, red pepper flakes and salt and black pepper to taste. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a brisk simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced by about half, about 8 minutes.
Transfer to a food processor and pulse until almost smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the chives, mint, parsley and lemon zest and juice; season with salt and pepper.
Trim the bottom 1/2 inch of the stem from the endives. Remove the large outer leaves and reserve for another use. Carefully separate the medium and small leaves, trimming the stem more as necessary. Reserve the baby leaves for another use.
Spoon some of the bean puree onto the base of the medium and small leaves and garnish each with a small mint leaf. Arrange decoratively on a platter. Serve immediately.