Derrick’s Holiday Fish Appetizer
Servings: 12 (2 to 3 pieces per person and 2-3 bites per endive leaf)
Preparation time: 1 hour including cooking time 
YIELD: 12 servings (2 to 3 pieces per person and 2-3 bites per endive leaf)
Preparation time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- ½ pound cod or other dense white fish, steamed or baked in foil, squeeze out excess water
- 3 medium Belgian endive heads
- 1½ stalks celery, diced fine
- 1 medium carrot, diced fine
- ½ medium red Bermuda onion, diced fine
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp kelp powder or seaweed flakes (or ¼ teaspoon of sea salt)
- ¼ tsp white pepper, ground
- 1½ tsp lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 Tbsp slivered almonds, toasted, for garnish
- 1 Tbsp cranberries, dried, for garnish
Method:
- Prepare cod in advance: steam or bake in aluminum foil in 300-degree oven for 15-20 minutes; when finished, set aside to cool, then squeeze out excess water, flake with fork.
- Dice fine the onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté vegetables in olive oil until translucent. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix gently together flaked cod, cooled sautéed vegetables, yogurt, kelp or seaweed flakes, white pepper, and fresh lemon juice.
- Chop off root ends of endive heads, gently ease off “flakes” or leaves one at a time to prevent breakage. 2-3 inches is ideal length for the endive leaves.
- Stuff the endive “boats” with the finished fish salad.
- Decorate the stuffed endive leaves with 2-3 slivered almonds along one side.
- Finish off with 1-3 cranberries along the other side of stuffed endive leaves
This recipe was a big hit at the first “Chef’s MPN™ Cook-off.” This endive-encased appetizer is delicious, attractive on the plate, and easy to pick up and eat. The actual ingredients are a nice brain healthy surprise!
Original recipe by Chef Derrick Peterson, following the Memory Preservation Nutrition® program. Derrick Peterson was Executive Chef at The Cambridge Homes in Cambridge, MA.
Photos of Preparation Steps
Cooked Fish draining Flaking fish Sauteed chopped veggies Example of plain Greek yogurt
Another design with cranberries and almonds
