Duck Liver Gin Parfait Food

DUCK LIVER PARFAIT

Steps:

• Two days before serving cut away and discard any large sinews from the duck livers.
• Soak the livers in milk, 500ml (2 cups) of water and 10ml (2 tsp) salt, overnight. This will help to reduce any bitterness.
• The day before serving, start making the parfait. Rinse the livers, pat dry and set aside.
• Gently fry the shallots and garlic in oil and butter until softened.
• Add the thyme then pour in the port and brandy.
• Bring the contents to a boil until the liquid has been reduced by a third.
• Lower the temperature to a minimum setting and add the livers, stirring them until they have browned, which should take around 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 130°C/27°0F/gas mark ½.
• Remove the thyme sprigs and place the rest of the contents in a blender. Process until smooth.
• While the processor is running, add one cracked egg into the mix every 30 seconds. This should take around 4 minutes and the mixture should be silky smooth.
• Pour the melted butter very slowly while the motor is running.
• Season to taste.
• Sieve the mixture to ensure the parfait is perfectly smooth.
• You can either use 24 ramekins or 2 large terrine tins. Whatever you decide, pour the parfait into the dishes and place them in deep baking trays. Cover all of them with greaseproof paper.
• Fill the baking trays with water up to two-thirds of the height of the dishes.
• Place the trays in the oven and cook for 40 minutes. You need a thermometer to test whether the parfait has reached an internal temperature of 65°C/150°F. If not, cook for a few minutes longer and keep checking until the desired temperature has been reached.
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 30 minutes.
• You now have a choice to freeze it for later use, or you can place it in the fridge overnight to firm up.
• If you choose the latter, you can remove the greaseproof paper and spread softened butter on top of each dish to help retain its moisture and prevents oxidation.
• Serve the next day with amaretto cherries or persimmon chutney.

VELVETY DUCK LIVER PARFAIT

Steps:

• Cut away and discard any large sinews from the livers, then set the livers aside. Heat about a third of the butter in a large frying pan, then gently fry the shallots and garlic for 3-4 mins unti l soft. Turn up the heat, add the livers, then fry until just browned on all sides. Add the brandy and port, boil down as quickly as possible - if the sauce catches light for an instant, then all the better. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool completely.
• Season the livers generously, then tip the contents of the pan into a food processor with the tomato purée and remaining butter, and blitz until smooth. Push the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, taste for seasoning, then tip into a serving dish, banging the dish down on the tabletop to smooth out the surface. Place in the fridge to set.
• Once the mixture has set, make the topping. Gently melt the butter in a small pan or in a bowl in the microwave, then leave for a min to settle and separate. Pour the yellow butter that has risen to the top into another bowl and discard the milky liquid. Leave the yellow butter to cool slightly, then mix in the thyme and peppercorns. Pour the mixture over the parfait and leave to set in the fridge. Serve with plenty of toast, sliced gherkins and chutney. Will keep for 2 days in the fridge.

DUCK LIVER & GIN PARFAIT

Steps:

• Melt the butter for the pâté in a pan and fry the shallots for 5 mins. Tip in the livers, thyme and plenty of black pepper and cook for about 5 mins until browned. Stir in the gin and cook for 1 min more.
• Tip the mixture into a food processor, scraping in all of the buttery juices. Blend with the cream and 1⁄2 tsp salt until smooth. Spoon into 6 ramekins and smooth the surface.
• For the topping, melt the butter with the juniper berries, thyme and a good grinding of black pepper, then spoon over the pâté. Chill until the butter sets. If you want to freeze them, wrap in cling film, then foil. To defrost, thaw in the fridge for 24 hrs.
• To serve, place on a plate with toast and gherkins or cornichons.

CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT

Steps:

• Tip the wine, brandy, shallot and garlic into a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer until most of the liquid has reduced, about 3-5 mins, then set aside to cool. Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large frying pan. Once hot, add half of the livers and sear them for 1 min on each side so they are brown on the outside but still rosy in the middle. Tip into a colander with a bowl underneath to catch any leftover fat. Repeat with the remaining livers and oil.
• Tip the livers into a food processor along with the cooled red wine and shallot mix. Add half the thyme leaves, all the cream and melted butter. Blend to a fine purée and season generously, then pour into a jar, pot or six individual ramekins. Transfer to the fridge to set for 2 hrs.
• Once the parfait has set, sprinkle with the remaining thyme leaves and spoon over a thin layer of melted clarified butter and put back in the fridge to set the butter. Can be made up to two days ahead and chilled. To serve, toast the brioche and serve with the parfait and a separate pot of chutney for everyone to help themselves.