Chicken Livers Wcaramelized Onion And Madeira Food

CHICKEN LIVERS W/CARAMELIZED ONION AND MADEIRA

Steps:

• In a frying pan, heat 2 Tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat.
• Add the onions, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper and sugar.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are well browned, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the onions from the pan and put on a serving platter or individual plates and keep warm.
• In the same frying pan, heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon of oil over moderately high heat.
• Season the chicken livers with the remaining salt & pepper.
• Put the livers in the pan, in two batches if necessary, and cook for 2 minutes. Turn and cook until browned, about 2 minutes longer.
• The livers should still be pink inside.
• Remove the chicken livers from the pan and put them on top of the onions.
• Return the pan to the heat and add Madeira.
• Boil rapidly, scraping the bottom of the pan to dislodge any brown bits, for 1 minute.
• Pour the sauce over the livers and the onions.
• Top with egg (if using) and parsley.
• Variations: Use 1/2 cup of Sherry or 1/2 cup of Port instead of Madeira.

CHICKEN LIVERS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Put onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook, stirring infrequently, until onions are dry and almost sticking to pan, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in a tablespoon of oil or butter and a large pinch of salt and a few grindings of black pepper, add rosemary and turn heat down to medium-low. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, about 15 minutes more. Remove vegetables from pan; set aside.
• Wipe pan with a paper towel, put it over medium-high heat and add remaining oil or butter. When oil is hot or foam from butter has subsided, add chicken livers. Keep heat high and cook livers quickly, turning them until brown and crisp on both sides but still pink on inside, about 3 or 4 minutes total. Remove from pan.
• Return vegetables to pan along with vinegar and 2 or 3 tablespoons water, just enough to deglaze; stir well to combine and serve with livers and crusty bread, or on toast.

CHICKEN LIVERS WITH GRAPES AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon butter with 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook onions with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer onions to a plate and loosely cover with foil.
• Pat livers dry and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in same skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook livers, turning over once, until browned and just pink inside, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to plate with onions.
• Add grapes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon rosemary and sauté over moderately high heat, shaking skillet, 1 minute. Add vinegar and deglaze skillet, stirring and scraping up brown bits. Swirl in remaining tablespoon butter, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour over liver and onions and serve immediately.

HEAVENLY CHICKEN LIVERS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND BACON

Steps:

• Dice up onions and bacon and start them simmering in butter and garlic in a small pan. Leave this on a low heat until the onions become translucent and start becoming sweet.
• While all that is on the stove, chop up your livers and prepare a flour batter seasoned with salt and pepper. Get a thick bottom pan and let it get very hot. Flour up your meat and drop it in in batches. Keep it turning so it browns on all sides but only keep it in for around 1-2min. The inside of the meat should still be lovely and soft when you bite into it. You do NOT want to overcook livers, they have a beautiful flavor on their own.
• Serve with a side of mash potatoes and parsnips and you've got a lovely meal!

SAUTéED CHICKEN LIVERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Put the raisins in a bowl with warm water to cover, so they plump up for a few minutes.
• Slice the onions in half and then crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick half moons (see photo, page 28). Put 2 tablespoons of oil and 2 of butter in one of the skillets and set it over medium heat. As the butter melts, stir in the onions, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and drop in the bay leaves. Shake the pan and turn the onions as they heat and start to sizzle, then lower the heat slightly and cook the onions slowly as they gradually wilt and start to color, stirring and tossing them occasionally.
• After 15 minutes or so, when the onions are deep gold all over, raise the heat a bit, pour in the vinegar, and cook for a minute, stirring the onions in the vinegar as it steams and evaporates. Drain the raisins, and gently squeeze out the excess liquid; scatter them in the skillet and toss together with the onions. Now lower the heat, and continue cooking the onions until they're as dark and caramelized as you want them be. Turn off the heat, and let the onions rest in the hot pan.
• While the onions are cooking, clean the livers (I do this on paper towels): with a paring knife remove all the fat, veins, and membranes, and slice the livers into separate lobes. Rinse them well, then pat dry with fresh paper towels. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and grind pepper on all surfaces of the livers.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 of butter in the second skillet, over medium-high heat, until the butter is melted and foaming. Before the butter begins to color, lay the livers in the pan, without crowding them. With the heat high, cook the livers for 2 minutes or a bit more, until they're browned and crisped on the underside, then turn them over (in the order in which you put them in the pan). Cook about 2 minutes on the second side, until they are nicely crisped all over, and lift them-a couple at a time-with a spider or slotted spoon; let the oil drain off, and place them in the first, warm skillet, next to the onions. Don't overcook the livers: they should still be slightly pink inside when you move them. Taste a piece and season with more salt and pepper if you want.
• If you will be serving right away, heap the onions on top of the livers, then spoon onions and liver together onto warm serving plates. If serving is delayed, leave the onions and livers in separate parts of the pan so the livers don't get soggy. Smother the livers with onions when you serve.
• Some piping-hot Basic Polenta (page 215), or grilled polenta (page 216).
• Poached Whole Zucchini with Lemon and Olive Oil (page 237).
• Skillet-Cooked Broccoli (page 277) or Skillet Cauliflower (page 268).