Local food map Brussels (Belgium)
Brussels guides
Recipes 11
Pick a recipe
All Brussels recipes
🥩
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥560kcal
💪32gProtein
🌾12gCarbs
🥑45gFat
🌿4gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten 🥛 Dairy

Also served in

Bruges

Chicory Ham Gratin

How to order / say it
Say it Witloof met ham en kaas — [VIT-lohf met hahm en kahs]
Order I'd like the chicory ham gratin, please.
Locally Ik zou de witloof met ham en kaas willen, alstublieft.
Say locally

Baked Belgian endive wrapped in ham with cheese sauce.

Why try it?

This dish is a testament to the Belgians' ingenious use of local produce, marrying the slightly bitter chicory with salty ham and creamy cheese in a gratifying way. It's a classic staple in Brugesian homes, offering warmth and tradition.

How it tastes

The gratin provides a blend of savory flavors with the endive's slightly bitter crunch, complemented by the smoky ham and rich, gooey cheese blanket, delivering a comforting warmth and a rich, fulfilling aroma.

Origin & History — first documented: 1850

Dating back to the mid-19th century, this comforting casserole became popular thanks to innovative farmers in Belgium cultivating chicory. The dish was endorsed as a warming and satisfying meal for winter months, bringing together beloved national ingredients.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 4 Belgian endives
  • 🥩 4 ham slices
  • 🥛 150 g gruyere cheese
  • 🥛 300 ml milk
  • 🥛 50 g butter
  • 🌾 50 g flour
  • 🧂 1 tsp nutmeg

Method

  1. 1 Boil chicory until tender, then wrap each in a ham slice.
  2. 2 Make a béchamel sauce with butter, flour, milk, and nutmeg.
  3. 3 Arrange wrapped chicories in a baking dish, cover with sauce.
  4. 4 Sprinkle cheese on top, and bake until golden and bubbly.

More from Brussels

Brussels Waffle © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Brussels Waffle

Gaufre de Bruxelles
goh-freh duh broo-sells

Light and crispy waffles dusted with powdered sugar, often topped with fruits.
Belgian Fries © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegan

Belgian Fries

Frieten
FREE-ten

Thick, twice-fried potato fries served with mayonnaise.
Brussels Sprouts © Wikimedia Commons
Side dish Vegetarian

Brussels Sprouts

Choux de Bruxelles
SHOO duh broo-SELL

These small cabbage-like vegetables are often roasted till crispy.
Speculoos © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegetarian

Speculoos

Speculaas
SPEH-koo-lahs

Spiced shortcrust cookies from Belgium, popular during holidays.
🥩
Main course Meat

Rabbit with Prunes

Konijn met Pruimen
koh-NAYN met PROW-men

A slow-cooked rabbit stew with a sweet prune sauce.
Endive au Gratin © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Meat

Endive au Gratin

Chicons au gratin
SHEE-kon oh grah-TAN

Baked endives wrapped in ham slathered in béchamel sauce.
Chicory Tart © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Vegetarian

Chicory Tart

Tarte au chicon
tart oh shee-kawn

A savory tart featuring sautéed chicory and cheese baked in a buttery crust.
🌿
Starter Vegetarian

Flemish Asparagus

Asperges op Vlaamse Wijze
ahs-PAIR-jehz awp VLAHMS-uh VAY-zuh

White asparagus garnished with hard-boiled eggs and butter.
Stoemp © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Vegetarian

Stoemp

Shtoomp

A mashed potato dish mixed with various vegetables.
Waffle © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Waffle

Gaufre
GOHF-ruh

A light batter cake cooked between two hot plates with square holes.
All Europe recipes — Belgium — Brussels — Chicory Ham Gratin
keyboard_arrow_up