What Curly Herb Is Related To Chicory And Escarole?

Are you thinking of a curly herb related to Chicory & Escarole as an alternate accent to your salads?

Thus, ensure to read till the end to learn all about a curly herb related to Chicory and Escarole with in-depth descriptions.

Are Escarole And Chicory The Same Thing?

No! Escarole and Chicory are not the same thing. But instead, they are closely related as they are members of the Chicorium genus. Further, they also belong to Daisy or Asteraceae family.

Escarole (Cichorium endivia) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus) are leafy green vegetables.

Apart from it, they have distinct leaf features and tastes. Escarole is an annual, while Chicory is a perennial veggie.

Likewise, Escarole has broad, pale green leaves with a milder flavor. On the other hand, Chicory has narrower, elongated leaves with a slightly bitter taste.

Nevertheless, both leafy veggies have similar usage. You can eat them raw as salad greens and cooked as a vegetable.

Here is a brief comparison table between Escarole and Chicory.

What Curly Herb Is Related To Chicory And Escarole?

Curly Endive or frisée is the curly herb related to Chicory and Escarole. Further, Curly Endive is also a member of Chicory.

Other Curly herb members besides Frisée in Chicory are Belgian Endive, Escarole, & Radicchio. So, they all appear somewhat similar.

At times, you may have heard Curly Endive as Chicory. However, Frisée is not the same as Chicory.

Meanwhile, they also have a similar leaf as Escarole but are smaller. Similarly, contrary to Endive, Curly Endive, a curly herb related to Chicory and Escarole, has shaggy, frizzy, bushy leaves.

You can use Curly Endive as an alternate if you do not have Escarole or Chicory.

The green leaves of Frisée with red or purple hues at times taste slightly bitter. Further, they are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, dietary fiber, and other minerals.

How To Cook Curly Endive?

The puffy, frizzy leaves of Curly Endive are frequently used to accent salads. But they can be eaten in many different ways besides salads.

Now, before hopping onto the Curly Endive recipes, you must know how to choose them.

Go for fresh-looking, bright leaves of Curly Endive, and refrain from using flabby, browning leaves.

Then, proceed to wash the leaves to remove dirt thoroughly. Also, remove any wilted or damaged leaves.

Here are a few recipes to cook Curly Endive, aka frisée.

1. Sauteed Frisée with Garlic and Lemon

Necessary Ingredients

• One large bunch of Curly Endive
• Two cloves of Garlic, minced
• One tablespoon Olive oil
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• Salt and Pepper

Directions

• Thoroughly wash the Curly Endive and chop it per desired shape and size.
• Heat the Olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add minced Garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant.
• Add the chopped Curly Endive to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes till the leaf wilts slightly.
• Squeeze out the Lemon juice and sprinkle over the Curly Endive.
• Then, season it with salt and Pepper as per your taste.
• Keep sautéing for another 2-3 minutes to allow Curly Endive to become tender without losing texture.
• Remove from the heat, and then enjoy!

2. Frisée and White Bean Soup

Necessary Ingredients

• One large bunch of Curly Endive
• One can (15 ounces) White Beans, drained and rinsed
• One small Onion, finely chopped
• Two cloves of Garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• Two tablespoons of Olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

• Heat Olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add chopped Onion and minced Garlic to the pot and fry them until the Onion turns colorless.
• Then, add the Curly Endive and cook for 2-3 minutes until the leaves wilt slightly.
• Add the broth and beans to the pot. Let it boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Otherwise, simmer till the vegetables are tender and soft.
• Now, season the dish with salt and Pepper to taste.
• Remove from heat and serve the soup warm.

3. Frisée Salad with Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese

Ingredients

• One large bunch of curly endive
• Two medium-sized roasted beets, sliced
• 2 ounces Goat cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Directions

• Cut or tear the clean Curly Endive and place it in a large salad bowl.
• Add roasted Beet slices, crumbled goat cheese, and chopped walnuts.
• Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
• Then, serve immediately to enjoy a refreshing, nutritious salad.