History
Witloof, the Belgian endive, was developed in 19th-century Brussels and became a winter-vegetable signature across the Low Countries. The gratin pairs it with sliced ham and a thick béchamel under grilled cheese. Every Belgian household has a version; Antwerp kitchens hold to a sharp Gouda or Vieux Bruges for the topping.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 8 medium Belgian endive heads
- 8 thin slices of cooked ham
- 50g butter, plus more for the dish
- 50g plain flour
- 500ml whole milk
- 150g grated aged Gouda or Belgian Vieux Bruges
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Pinch of grated nutmeg
- Salt, white pepper, lemon juice
Method
- Trim the endive heads, slice the base to remove the bitter core.
- Simmer in salted water with a squeeze of lemon for 10 minutes until just tender. Drain and pat dry.
- Wrap each endive in a slice of ham.
- Make a béchamel: melt the butter, whisk in flour, cook 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk gradually.
- Simmer the sauce over 5 minutes until thick. Stir in 100g of the cheese, the mustard and nutmeg. Season.
- Arrange the ham-wrapped endive in a buttered baking dish. Pour over the sauce.
- Top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 200C for 20 minutes until bubbling and gold.
Tip from the editors. Salt the endive cooking water heavily and add lemon; it cuts the bitterness without leaving sourness in the gratin.
Where to eat witloof gegratineerd
Witloof gegratineerd in Antwerp
Elfde Gebod ★ 4.1
Elfde Gebod sits in a 16th-century building beside the cathedral, walls covered in religious statues. Located in Historisch Centrum. Priced at €€.
OrderThe rabbit stew in beer sauce or the Flemish carbonade.
TipOpen daily noon to ten. The Suikerrui sister-room on the Scheldt is the same kitchen with a different view if Torfbrug is full.
Marolus ★ 3.9
Marolus in Antwerp on Hendrik Conscienceplein runs an under-15-euro lunch plate of the day. Located in Historisch Centrum. At Hendrik Conscienceplein 14.
TryLunch dish of the day
TipLunch only, no dinner. The square's tree-lined terrace is the better seat in summer.
Mampoko ★ 4.0
Mampoko in Antwerp on Amerikalei runs all-day brasserie service that starts with breakfast at 08:30 and rolls through brunch and lunch. Located in Het Zuid.
OrderMampoko breakfast with eggs and Belgian charcuterie
TipThe corner terrace opens with the weather. Reserve for Saturday brunch.
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