Gratin of Endives and Bacon

• 6 medium endives (about 1 pound)
• 3 tablespoons butter

Remove the outer, discolored leaves from the endives, trim remaining discolored edges, if necessary, and split each in two lengthwise. Pack them in a tight single layer, split side down, in a generously buttered gratin dish and sprinkle the surface with salt and pepper. Mix together the grated cheese, the breadcrumbs, the parsley, and the chopped bacon, pulling apart any fragments of bacon that