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Chicons au Gratin

Tender Belgian endives wrapped in ham, smothered in silky béchamel, and gratinéed under bubbling cheese — a Walloon classic.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 45 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Chicons au Gratin

Chicons au gratin wraps tender braised Belgian endive in ham, then blankets it with a nutty cheese sauce and a golden breadcrumb crust. Bitter, salty, creamy, crisp — it hits every note at once.

A winter staple of Belgian home cooking, it turns the humble endive into a dish worthy of a Sunday table. Balance the endive’s bitterness with a squeeze of lemon in the cooking water and plenty of cheese.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Trim the endives and simmer them in water with the lemon juice and sugar for about 15 minutes, until just tender; drain well and pat dry.
  2. Wrap each endive in a slice of ham and arrange in a buttered baking dish.
  3. Melt the butter, stir in the flour, and cook for 1 minute; whisk in the hot milk and simmer until thick.
  4. Off the heat, stir in 1 cup of the cheese, the nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
  5. Pour the sauce over the endives, scatter with the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs.
  6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes until bubbling and golden.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Squeeze the cooked endives gently to remove excess water, or the dish will be watery. Serve with boiled potatoes to balance the richness.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook45 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →