GETTING READY

1) Preheat the oven to 325° F.

2) Using a pastry brush, apply 2 tablespoons of the softened butter evenly over the bottom and sides of a baking-serving dish. It should be large enough to hold the endives in one layer.

3) Using as knife trim off the bases of the endives. Do not to cut so deep that the leaves separate. Wash the endives and pat dry with paper towels

MAKING

4) Keep the endives side by side in the buttered dish and with a pastry brush spread them with the remaining 2 tablespoons of softened butter.

5) Scatter 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper, and pour the lemon juice over them.

6) With a sheet of wax paper cut to fit, cover the endives.

7) Bake in the middle of the oven for about 90 minutes or until the bases of the endives are tender and a skewer comes out clean when pierced.

8) Using a pair of tongs or a slotted spatula carefully transfer the endives to a plate. Drain off any liquid remaining in the dish and keep the dish aside.

9) Increase the oven temperature to 375°.

10) Take a small flameproof baking pan, and melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over moderate heat. Let the froth to subside.

11) Put in the chicken breast and turn it about with a spoon until it coats thoroughly.

12) Take the pan from the heat. Scatter1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper over chicken. Cover it with wax paper cut to fit inside the pan.

13) Keep the tray in the middle of the oven and poach for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the flesh feels firm to the touch.

14) Remove and keep the chicken on a plate. Cut it into 1/4-inch dice. Keep the diced chicken in a small bowl and set aside.

15) Over moderate heat, keep a heavy 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Mix in the flour thoroughly.

16) Add in the chicken stock and, stirring continually with a wire whisk, cook over high heat until the sauce thickens heavily and comes to a boil.

17) Lower the heat to the lowest settings and simmer for about 5 minutes to remove any taste of raw flour. Add in the cream, nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of white pepper. Stir well.

18) Check seasoning.

19) Add about 1/4 cup of the sauce over the reserved chicken dice and mix well.

20) Add in the beaten the egg yolk into the remaining sauce and when it is completely absorbed stir in the cheese.

21) Turn up the oven heat to 400°.

22) Using a knife, cut each endive in half lengthwise, cutting to within about 1 inch of the base.

23) Split open the endives in butterfly fashion and flatten one half gently with the side of a cleaver or large knife.

25) Split the the chicken mixture into 6 equal portions.

26) Using a spoon, apply one portion of the chicken mixture on the flattened sides of each endive.

27) Next then fold the other half of the endive over the filling and wrap each stuffed endive securely in a slice of ham.

28) Keep the wrapped endives side by side (seamed side down) in the baking-serving dish. Pour the reserved sauce evenly over the top.

29) Keep the dish in the middle of the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce begins to bubble.

30) Keep the baking dish under a preheated broiler (about 3 inches from the heat) for 1 minute or so to brown the sauce further.

SERVING

31) Serve hot, straight from the baking dish.