Fancy Lobster Salad in Endive: Ina Garten’s Summer Recipe

Summer’s bounty meets elegant simplicity in this delightful lobster salad with endive that Ina Garten perfected.

Succulent lobster meat gets a zesty lift from bright herbs and a creamy dressing.

Each delicate bite promises sophistication without overwhelming complexity.

The crisp endive leaves serve as elegant vessels for the luxurious seafood mixture.

Light, refreshing, and utterly decadent, this appetizer brings restaurant-quality elegance to your table.

Simple ingredients combine to create a dish that feels both indulgent and effortless.

Dive into this luxurious starter that’s sure to impress at your next gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 4

Everything in Ina Garten Lobster Salad in Endive

• Lobster: Fresh, sweet seafood that brings luxurious ocean flavor and delicate texture to the dish, choose pre-cooked or freshly steamed for optimal tenderness and convenience.

• Mayonnaise, Capers, Dill: Creamy base that smoothly coats ingredients, adding tangy brightness and herbal complexity to complement the lobster's richness.

• Celery, Endive: Crisp vegetables that provide a delightful textural contrast and clean, subtle greenness to balance the rich seafood mixture, select bright and firm stalks for maximum crunch.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor boosters that elevate and harmonize the entire dish's taste profile, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aromatic impact.

Tools to Make Ina Garten Lobster Salad in Endive

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing lobster salad ingredients thoroughly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for dicing lobster and chopping celery.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Teaspoon: Perfect for neatly filling endive leaves with lobster mixture.
• Serving Platter: Provides elegant presentation for the finished appetizer.

How to Put Together Ina Garten Lobster Salad in Endive

• Lobster Treasure Preparation

Gently blend succulent lobster chunks with creamy mayo, crisp celery bits, briny capers, and fragrant dill. Season with a delicate touch of salt and pepper to create a harmonious coastal-inspired mixture.

• Endive Canvases

Carefully trim the endive bases and gently separate the pristine white and green leaves, creating delicate natural boats perfect for holding the luxurious seafood filling.

• Elegant Assembly

Softly spoon the luscious lobster mixture into the broader end of each endive leaf, ensuring an artful and balanced presentation that promises a delightful bite-sized experience.

• Serving Celebration

Arrange the filled endive leaves on a beautiful platter, showcasing the elegant appetizer that captures the essence of summer seaside dining. These bite-sized delights are ready to impress and delight guests with their refined simplicity.

Tips for Making Ina Garten Lobster Salad in Endive

• Replace lobster with crab, shrimp, or even diced chicken for a different protein-packed twist that keeps the recipe versatile and exciting.
• Experiment with fresh tarragon, chives, or parsley to add layers of brightness and complexity to the classic mayonnaise-based filling.
• Mix in toasted pine nuts, chopped almonds, or crispy bacon bits for an unexpected crunch that elevates the creamy lobster salad.
• Prepare the lobster mixture up to 8 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop a richer taste profile.

Ways to Plate Ina Garten Lobster Salad in Endive

• Elegantly Plate Seafood Appetizer: Arrange the filled endive leaves in a circular pattern on a pristine white platter, creating a visually stunning presentation that highlights the delicate lobster and crisp endive.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle finely chopped dill or chives over the top of the lobster salad-filled endive leaves to add a pop of color and extra layer of fresh flavor.
• Pair with Crisp Wine: Serve alongside a chilled glass of crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the rich, creamy lobster salad and balance its delicate flavors.
• Create Cocktail Party Bites: Prepare these elegant appetizers for summer gatherings, outdoor parties, or sophisticated cocktail events where guests can enjoy bite-sized, elegant seafood hors d'oeuvres.

Store Ina Garten Lobster Salad in Endive Right

• Prep Ahead: Make the lobster salad up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator to let flavors meld together beautifully.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Keep the prepared dish in an airtight container, ensuring the endive leaves stay crisp and the lobster mixture remains fresh for 1-2 days.
• Serving Temperature: Serve the lobster salad chilled for the best taste and texture, allowing the delicate seafood and herbs to shine.
• Ingredient Freshness: Select the freshest lobster and crisp endive leaves for optimal flavor and presentation, checking for vibrant colors and firm textures.

Elegant Lobster Salad In Endive Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s lobster salad nestled in crisp endive leaves creates an elegant appetizer from her Hamptons kitchen. Coastal flavors blend seamlessly, offering guests a luxurious bite you’ll savor with Mediterranean-inspired freshness.

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Ingredients

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• 0.75 lb (340 g) lobster meat, chopped into small pieces
• 4 heads Belgian endive
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• 1.5 tbsps (22 ml) fresh dill, chopped finely
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) capers, without liquid
• 0.5 cup (120 g) celery, finely chopped (about 1 stalk)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare Lobster: Meticulously dice cooked lobster meat into uniform, bite-sized pieces, ensuring precision and consistency.
2. Create Salad Mixture: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine diced lobster, mayonnaise, chopped celery, capers, minced dill, kosher salt, and black pepper, gently folding until ingredients harmonize seamlessly.
3. Prep Endive Vessels: Trim endive bases and carefully separate crisp leaves, transforming them into natural, elegant serving platforms for the luxurious lobster filling.
4. Assemble and Garnish: Generously spoon lobster mixture into the broader end of each endive leaf, creating a visually stunning and palate-pleasing appetizer that balances textures and flavors.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Present the filled endive leaves on a chilled platter, ensuring immediate serving to maintain the pristine crispness of the endive and the vibrant essence of the lobster salad.

Notes

• Precision Cutting: Uniformly dice lobster meat into small, consistent bite-sized pieces to ensure even flavor distribution and elegant presentation.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients softly to maintain lobster’s delicate texture and prevent breaking or mashing the meat during preparation.
• Endive Selection: Choose fresh, crisp endive leaves with minimal browning, selecting wide, sturdy leaves that can hold the lobster salad without collapsing.
• Serving Temperature Matters: Chill serving platter and serve immediately to preserve the endive’s crunchiness and maintain the lobster salad’s fresh, vibrant flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg