Blue Cheese + Endive Dipper Appetizer

the blog:

Do you everstress to find something simple but “fancy” to bring to parties or events? Having a few staple ‘go-to’ options can help take the pressure off! This is one of my favorite easy apps that never disappoints. And the beautiful presentation is easy peasy because of the structure of the endive.

Here is how to whip this up in under 10 minutes.

Step 1 – RUN to you local Trader Joe’s because they will have everything you need.

Step 2 – Get your ingredients:

2 packs of endive
2 tubs of pecan blue cheese dip
1 pack of diced pancetta OR 1 pack of bacon (you can omit the “meat” but I love the flavor it adds!!)

STEP 3 – Cook up the meat! In a frying pan, cook up the pancetta until browned or cook your bacon until crispy and then cut/crumble into pieces. Blot with a paper towel to remove excess fat if needed. Allow a few minutes for the meat to cool so you don’t melt the dip.

STEP 4 – Assembly Time! Cut the ends of the endive to peel and separate. Cut as little as possible from the ends, remove a few pieces and then cut again to release a few more. Having different length pieces helps you build your presentation more easily. Use the longer pieces around the edges of your presentation plate and use your short pieces as you work in. Scoop a spoon full of dip into the base of each piece of endive. Start creating your plate. Work from the outside in, using your longest leaves first and continue building in as your leaves get shorter. I like to alternate the row colors and do a large green row, then red and then green. Finally…sprinkle your pancetta or bacon over top.