Stuffed Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese

Yield
Serves 12 (serving size: 2 stuffed endive leaves)

These bite-sized vegetable appetizers are big on flavor and absolutely gorgeous on a tabletop. As a vessel for the creamy herbed goat cheese, Belgian endive lettuce has a crisp texture and a sweet flavor with slightly bitter undertones. Topped with this herby goat cheese mixture, the lettuce becomes a delicious delicacy.


Ingredients

• 1 ounce goat cheese, crumbled (about 1/4 cup) 
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 1/4 cup) 
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon) 
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 2 1/2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives, divided 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided 
• 2 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon, divided 
• 24 green Belgian endive leaves (about 2 heads)

Directions
Step 1
Stir together goat cheese, cream cheese, zest, juice, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of the chives, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, and 2 teaspoons of the tarragon in a bowl. Spoon mixture evenly into bottom halves of endive leaves.

Step 2
Combine remaining 1/2 tablespoon each chives and parsley and 1/2 teaspoon tarragon. Sprinkle evenly over stuffed leaves. Serve immediately.