Chicory with Ham in Cheese Sauce

• 6–8 heads chicory
• 6–8slices cooked ham

Remove any bruised outer leaves from the chicory. Wash quickly, then, with a pointed knife, remove the hard core at the base of each stalk. Add to boiling salted water and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until just tender. Drain thoroughly and wrap each head of chicory in a slice of cooked ham. Place close together in a well-buttered baking dish and set aside while preparing the sauce.

Melt