July 11, 2007

I Built My Own Boat... Out Of Endive


Basement update: The flood waters have subsided and the hot water heater has been replaced, finally. For the past couple days I’ve been having the iciest showers ever. You’d think that would be nice in this heat but since I’m not a polar bear the frigid water hit me as if it were needles. I’ve also determined that it’s awfully hard to wash your hair while cowering in the corner of the shower, trying not to get wet. But enough about that, on with the food!

I like my food to look pretty. I have this warped notion that the prettier it looks, the better it tastes. I know that this is wrong. In fact, it’s been proven wrong many times. For example: the elegant looking sweet you get at a bakery that turns out to be stale and not unlike cardboard in terms of taste, (but that you still eat in the hopes that it will magically turn delicious). And on the other end of the spectrum, how appetizing does a brown stew really look? But stews are often packed with flavour, especially the ones that I make. Given the fact I always want the best of both worlds, I try to make food that looks as beautiful as it tastes. That’s why I made these little endive boats. Sure, I could have mashed everything together and eaten it from a bowl, but using the endive leaves instead elevates what is essentially tuna salad, to a whole new level. For the tuna mixture, I used a can of Clover Leaf’s flavoured tuna, (tomato onion to be exact) which was actually pretty decent. It comes in baby cans so it’s just enough for a single serving without having leftovers, (this is good because it prevents your roommates from opening the fridge door and exclaiming “EW! Tuney!”). The secret ingredient though was Lizano Salsa, which is not a salsa in the typical chunky tomato way. It’s a thin, smooth sauce that’s a little bit spicy and a lot bit delicious. My parents brought a few bottles back from Costa Rica earlier this year and it’s fabulous stuff.




For a sweet treat after your lunch, may I suggest a coffee muffin to go with your espresso? Dorie’s Coffee Break muffins may seem simple, perhaps even a little plain without any add ins or extras, but trust me, they’re perfect that way. I had to resist throwing in some mini chocolate chips, but I’m glad I fought off the urge. These muffins have a tender, moist crumb and a texture that I would like to call silky. If muffins can be silky, this one definitely is. Obviously, these Coffee Break muffins are yet another wonderful recipe from Baking: From My Home to Yours. Enjoy.



Fancy Schmancy Tuna Endive Boats


1 can Clover Leaf Tomato and Onion Tuna

¼ of a yellow pepper, diced

Half stalk of celery, diced

A few splashes of Lizano Salsa

A few sprigs of cilantro, chopped

A couple cherry tomatoes

4 endive leaves

Mix everything together and spread into the endive leaf boats, top with cherry tomatoes. Serves 1.





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25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the boat idea! And of course the muffins look fab!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm. I'm always looking for new things to have with my morning coffee at work. Those muffins look wonderful. Yet another cookbook to add to my must-buy list.

K and S said...

lovely boats and those muffins sound really nice too! I think I'm gonna have to get that cookbook SOON!

Anonymous said...

I love the boat thing! I did roughly the same thing with a chicken salad I made a while back, Endive is very expensive here in TX, so I used romaine hearts instead.

I completely agree on presentation, the better it looks to the eye, the more apt you are to savor the flavors.

Kelly-Jane said...

Glad to hear the flood is under control.

I like food to look pretty and preferably colourful too.

Patricia Scarpin said...

I love endive, Bri, and this is a delicious way of having it!

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Floods . . . water running, dripping . . . my husband & I are totally paronoid . . . we've had 3 in one year and it's 3 too many. Glad yours is done with, hope the recovery is well underway. No I've never done well with cold showers!
Neat boat with the endive. Those muffins sound extra good. Might have to try those when the husband is out of town.

Cheryl said...

I am so digging the coffee muffins.

And I'm glad to know that you are no longer in polar bear status.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

The endive boats look beautiful. Now I want to try those coffee muffins!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I'd take a ride in those boats! Hope all is dry....

Anonymous said...

Lovin' the endive boats! As for the presentation - my mother has always gone with the ideal that we consume a meal with our eyes first before we taste it with our mouths, so there is a definite value on presentation :)

Ilva said...

Great way to eat your food in the summer!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

These are such perfect little appetizers. And I love it that like a true foodie your ark is made of food!! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

And they do look very pretty and fresh too! What a great idea, Brilynn. I love the crunchy and slightly peppery taste of endives. The tuna and tomatoes makes a great pairing!

I had a similar one in St Malo a couple of years ago but with salmon and crab. I bet the tuna gives it a better kick!

Belinda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Belinda said...

Those little boats are so pretty, what a nice idea. :-) And the muffins look delicious...I will have to get Dorie Greenspan's Baking book...if its popular with so many great food bloggers, I'm certain I'll love the recipes as well.

leslie @ definitely not martha said...

Cute! Love the boats, and how à propos...

I *tried* to make endive boats earlier this year, but couldn't get my hands on any endive, much to my consternation. I wanted to make them with candied pecans, fresh figs and goat cheese and a balsamic drizzle. Your idea seems more meal-like though.

Anonymous said...

Glad the basement situation is coming under control. Cold showers are horrible but hopefully you can wash your hair in warmth once again. I love the endive boats concept, reminds me of those lettuce "tacos" at PF Changs! Yummy.

Ari (Baking and Books)

Anonymous said...

Poor you with the cold showers. Love the endive boat idea though. The belgian and curly endive are fast becoming a favorite in our household.

Anonymous said...

What a great appetizer idea...those tuna endive boats look fab! :)

Anonymous said...

mmmm! tuna endive boats are right up my alley. all aboard! these look fantastic brilynn :)

Mercedes said...

Those coffee break muffins look delectable, I'll have to look up the recipe!

SteamyKitchen said...

boats for tuna .... how cute!!

Amy said...

Glad to hear the basement is under control. I took many cold showers last week when it was 95 degrees and with no AC it was 90 degrees indoors. Using endive as little boats is adorable, endive is a really great "vehicle" for anything. :)

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