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What is Frisee?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Frisee is a type of chicory that has exploded onto gourmet plates. The exotic plant resembles a lettuce gone horribly awry, with a pale green explosion of frizzy leaves that adds a frisky note to green salads. Some consumers are radically opposed to frisee, while others adore the bitter and sometimes woody green. This green was popularized in the United States in the 1990s by chefs across the country, who integrated it into a wide variety of salads, and it has since become available in many upscale grocers and at some farmers' markets.

Frisee often appears in mesclun and other salad mixes, because the green is extremely laborious and therefore expensive to produce as a sole salad ingredient. In addition, its distinctive flavor can be overwhelming, and a small amount can go a long way. It is generally served in loose chunks in salad to highlight its exotic feathered appearance.

Frisee.
Frisee.

When growing, frisee resembles lettuce, with a loosely arranged head of curled leaves around a central stalk that is harvested once. In the United States, frisee plants tend to be small, although rumors of much larger heads grown overseas persist. Frisee grown for eating must be carefully protected from sun damage, which will turn the plant the rich green of a lettuce and make it woody and extremely bitter. Farmers have a variety of techniques for keeping the center of the green tender and white, or blanched, for market.

Frisee is sold at some farmer's markets.
Frisee is sold at some farmer's markets.

When cooking with frisee, always tear it rather than using a knife. Like other greens, it should be washed before consumption. Remember that the inner leaves are the most tender and can be used in more abundance than the tougher outer leaves. Because itcan brown or yellow, cut it shortly before use and dress it directly before bringing it to the table so that it doesn't discolor or become waterlogged. This green makes a spicy addition to green salads, or it can be served in more complex gourmet salads, starring with walnut vinaigrette and other bitter greens.

Frisee can be added to a main dish salad that features grilled chicken breast and leafy greens.
Frisee can be added to a main dish salad that features grilled chicken breast and leafy greens.

Like many other salad ingredients, frisee does not hold up well in the summer months. It should be planted in the early spring to mature in 45 to 60 days, in compost rich, moist soil. Plant the seeds at a shallow depth, approximately ten inches (25 centimeters) apart. Make sure that the danger of frost has passed before planting the delicate green, and position it in an area where it will get at least six hours of sun a day. As the plant nears maturity, tie the leaves together or cover the center of the plant to protect the tender inside from sun damage. It can be harvested like other lettuces, with a sharp knife close to the base, and it can be stored under refrigeration for approximately five days in a ventilated bag.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon265986

As a child (I'm now 61), my mother would buy chicory at only one green grocer in our neighborhood because he was the only one who sold it refrigerated with as my mother put it "had lots of yellow on the inside."

My mother would make a huge bowl of it with sliced garlic, corn oil and red wine vinegar. For years, I sought out this chicory but could only find the kind that was all green - no yellow.

Now as an older woman, I realize that my favorite chicory was really frisee. It's still hard to get but at least I know what to order. I like it the same way my mother prepared it, except I now use olive oil, balsamic vinegar garlic and salt - no other salad veggies. My family loves it.

cmsmith10

If you’ve never had frisee, you should try it. Although it is slightly prickly and somewhat bitter, it is an excellent addition to a good savory meat dish. I like to make a simple salad with it.

Wash about a pound of frisee (torn into bite size pieces) and cut off the stems. Add a Tbsp. of olive oil and a Tbsp. of champagne vinegar. Toss all of it together and add some kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Enjoy!

anon14957

Frisee is actually an endive (yes a chicory) with a finer cut to the leaves. The best way to blanch the centers is to use those big rubber bands that now come with things like broccoli to hold the broccoli together and to provide the product code number. Just wrap the band around the pant when it is about a week or 10 days from harvest. BTW ... the whole thing is delicious when served with warm steamed potatoes and all of that tossed in a hot bacon dressing. Paul K

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    • Frisee.
      By: ExQuisine
      Frisee.
    • Frisee is sold at some farmer's markets.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Frisee is sold at some farmer's markets.
    • Frisee can be added to a main dish salad that features grilled chicken breast and leafy greens.
      By: marrakeshh
      Frisee can be added to a main dish salad that features grilled chicken breast and leafy greens.
    • Frisee is sometimes added to green salads for a spicy flavor kick.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Frisee is sometimes added to green salads for a spicy flavor kick.
    • Chefs started to integrate frisee into a variety of dishes in the 1990s.
      By: olly
      Chefs started to integrate frisee into a variety of dishes in the 1990s.